Why does my back hurt when I do curls?

Author: Tyson Botsford  |  Last update: Saturday, April 12, 2025

For example, when the weight is too heavy it's easier to recruit the shoulders into action, which can cause shoulders to round forward and place strain on the back. To avoid these mistakes: Move only your forearms when lifting the dumbbell.

Why does my back hurt while curling?

Your upper back hurts because you round your shoulders forward and arch your upper back out of alignment while curling. Unshrug your shoulders and pin them back and down. Look in the mirror and have perfect posture when doing curls. A good cue is ``show off your chest''.

Is it normal to feel your back during bicep curls?

If you feel your back during bicep curls, it's important to address the issue. To begin with, it's likely that you'll need to reduce the weight you're lifting. ⁣ ⁣ Focus on controlling the weight especially the eccentric part of the movement (lowering part) & aim for full extension at the bottom of the exercise.

Why does my back hurt when I curve it?

There are many different causes of back pain when bending over. Stiffness and minor pain may be a sign of muscle strain, while severe shooting pains could indicate sciatica. A herniated disk can lead to weakness and numbness in one or both legs. Back pain when bending over is a common complaint of many American adults.

Do bicep curls affect the lower back?

(e.g. bicep curls, standing shoulder press)

The muscles of your back, including the lower back are active to keep us upright. Adding a heavy load to these muscles can sometimes cause fatigue and failure, which can then add additional load to other (possibly injured) structures in the back.

Back Pain With Shoulder Presses and Bicep Curls | Simple relief trick for back pain with exercise

How to do curls without hurting your back?

To avoid these mistakes:
  1. Move only your forearms when lifting the dumbbell. ...
  2. Keep your elbows tucked into your body throughout the whole exercise.
  3. Don't rock your hips from side to side. ...
  4. Pick a lighter weight that allows you to perform all of the repetitions in your set (usually 10-15) without compromising your form.

Why do I feel back exercises in my biceps?

A: If you feel a burn in your biceps during a back exercise, you are probably doing it wrong. A simple technique flaw will fail to engage your back and inadvertently turn it into an arm exercise. Despite your everlasting quest to build huge biceps, this should not be your goal with back exercises.

Am I too skinny if I can see my spine?

Skinnier people will generally have less fat surrounding the spine, making the vertebra appear more pronounced. This can be seen to the extreme in malnourished people who have so little fat that their entire skeletal structures appear visible through the skin.

Are forward bends bad for your back?

Bending forward is generally safe and won't cause a spinal fracture. But you may 'over-flex' your spine if you push yourself to the limit. This is especially true with uncontrolled, repetitive or sudden movements, or if you are putting some load or strain on your spine in a curved position.

How to tell if back pain is disc or muscle?

Signs of pulled back muscle are that the pain is usually dull and aching. You'll find it feels like it is in the back and often gets work if you don't rest that area. With a slipped disc, the pain is much sharper. It can even feel like it's radiating through the back, into the shoulders or surrounding areas.

Are bicep curls healthy?

Arm curls, when performed with proper form, can enhance joint mobility in both the elbow and shoulder. Improved mobility not only aids in everyday movements but also helps in performing other exercises with better form and reduced risk of injury.

What should hurt after bicep curls?

Biceps tendonitis and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) are common overuse injuries seen in individuals who frequently perform bicep curls.

Is curling hard on your back?

The research points to curlers having injuries to their knees, hips, back and shoulders, but none that have kept them out of competition-they are mostly described as overuse injuries.

How to work biceps with a bad back?

Here are 5 bicep exercises that you can do with back pain
  1. Facing Forward Incline Curl.
  2. Lying On Back/Ground Cable Curl.
  3. 1 Arm Cable Curl (Full Stretch & Shortening)
  4. Lying Bicep Cable Curl.
  5. TRX Bicep Curl.

Why does it hurt when I curl?

Range of Motion: Excessive or limited range of motion can overstress the elbow joints and tendons. Overly Extended Wrists: Bending the wrists too far backward while curling causes strain on the wrist flexors and places unnecessary pressure on the tendons at the inner elbow.

Why you should not arch your back?

Spinal stress: Aggressive back arching may stress the spinal discs and joints, potentially leading to discomfort or injury. Chronic pain: Excessive or uncontrolled back arching may worsen symptoms of certain medical conditions, such as chronic back pain.

How to fix lower back pain when bending over?

How to Relieve Lower Back Pain
  1. Maintain good posture, not just when you're standing straight, but also when you bend over—you should "squat and not bow."
  2. Don't lift heavy objects while bowing.
  3. Use ice or heat therapy wisely. ...
  4. Do gentle stretching and strengthening exercises.

Does bending over strengthen your back?

Muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons all get stronger if we train our bodies. So why do we avoid bending and loading our backs for fear of damage or pain? If we load our back steadily over time, it will get stronger like the rest of the body. The spine is an incredible piece of engineering and inherently strong.

What weight is considered skinny?

Women with a BMI of less than 18.5 are considered underweight. The average woman's height is 5 feet, 4 inches. If you weigh 107 pounds or less at this height, you are considered underweight with a BMI of 18.4. A healthy weight range for that woman would be 108 to 145 pounds.

Why are my ribs visible but I have a belly?

Rib flare is most commonly seen in people who have a significant amount of excess weight around their midsection, as this can cause the abdominal muscles to weaken and allow the rib cage to protrude.

Is it OK if your spine sticks out?

If your back sticks out while bending over, chances are you may have a posture problem. A misaligned spine can be a source of great pain if not treated properly. It also impairs your range of motion, affecting the quality of your life.

What exercise tightens the back of your arms?

In order to tighten this area and reduce "jiggle" it's necessary to strengthen the backs of the arms. The most basic dumbbell exercise to accomplish this is a tricep kickback. Holding weights in both hands, lean forward with a flat back. Hug your elbows in towards your sides and pull them up towards the ceiling.

How do you know if you're overworking your biceps?

Symptoms and warning signs of overtraining
  1. Unusual muscle soreness after a workout, which persists with continued training.
  2. Inability to train or compete at a previously manageable level.
  3. "Heavy" leg muscles, even at lower exercise intensities.
  4. Delays in recovery from training.
  5. Performance plateaus or declines.

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