Stiff Back

Sitting by the desk all day in front of a computer, I often get stiff back. I know I should strengthen my core and get up relax etc, but am just curious about your experience.

With a strong core, maybe I can sit there all day?

I am really curious how weak mine is.

See how long you can do a front plank. Report your time and I'll let you know how weak your core is.

Regardless of core strength (or lack of core strength), make sure your chair is adjusted properly and that your seated position aligns your back. Definitely take breaks throughout the day. If necessary, get a pillow to use for lower lumbar support to keep your back straight when seated.

Some days, I miss the physical work of my younger days... I, too, spend most of my day in a chair.

I have the same problem and all that seems to help is getting up to stretch / get the blood flowing at least every two hours. Then supplement with two-to-three 20-30 min core workouts each week as well.

Ok, just for fun, I did this front plank the first time at office, so I am not sure how well my form was.

93 seconds, I could probably hold to 2 minutes probably, but after 1 minute, my body started shaking.

Mr MattM wrote:Regardless of core strength (or lack of core strength), make sure your chair is adjusted properly and that your seated position aligns your back. Definitely take breaks throughout the day. If necessary, get a pillow to use for lower lumbar support to keep your back straight when seated.

Some days, I miss the physical work of my younger days... I, too, spend most of my day in a chair.

Cool advise. Stole a better chair from an empty cube.

uh-oh, Jerry. I can hold a plank for 2 minutes...just saying'.

The other thing you can do is get a big therapy ball to sit on instead of a chair. That'll improve your posture and core.

Make sure that you are not doing core exercises everyday. Just like your other muscles, your core muscles need time to recover.

P.S. - 93 seconds is not a long time to hold a plank.

Jerry wrote:Sitting by the desk all day in front of a computer, I often get stiff back. I know I should strengthen my core and get up relax etc, but am just curious about your experience.

With a strong core, maybe I can sit there all day?

I am really curious how weak mine is.

I can relate on the days that I end up in the office (wintertime)

Dave-O wrote:See how long you can do a front plank. Report your time and I'll let you know how weak your core is.

Can I play? 2:30, but then I said uncle - it quit being fun at about 1:30...

Nick Morris wrote:P.S. - 93 seconds is not a long time to hold a plank.

What IS a long time to hold a plank? Nick and Tim can probably hold one for 30 minutes.......

John Kilpatrick wrote:

Jerry wrote:Sitting by the desk all day in front of a computer, I often get stiff back. I know I should strengthen my core and get up relax etc, but am just curious about your experience.

What IS a long time to hold a plank? Nick and Tim can probably hold one for 30 minutes.......

I've had problems with my lower back over the last couple years. I'll test how long I can hold a plank and report back.

I'm 55, have a herniated disc and have never had a very strong core, but I just held a plank for 2 minutes just to feel more educated about the conversation. Jerry, sounds like you ought to take care of your back better! Starting with your core probably wouldn't hurt.

I have a colleague who has a chair she bought that has one of those therapy balls built right into the chair. Sorry, but it always looks to me like she is trying to hatch a giant egg in the office.

Matt is right - sit up straight in a good chair - you can find resources on line for proper seated posture. It actually feels good once you try it for a while (he said as he slouched in his reclining office chair...).

I also like to hold the Superman and Cobra pose for lower back strengthening.

I stopped at 5 minutes.

T Miller wrote:I stopped at 5 minutes.

Nice, you may have to train Jerry

T Miller wrote:I stopped at 5 minutes.

You for real? That Ab Ripper X must really work! That's impressive. I really start struggling after 2 minutes.

Dave-O wrote:

T Miller wrote:I stopped at 5 minutes.

You for real? That Ab Ripper X must really work! That's impressive. I really start struggling after 2 minutes.

It wasn't easy and I was pretty sweaty when I stopped. I couldn't have made it much more, maybe another minute if I would have gone to collapse.

T Miller wrote:I stopped at 5 minutes.

Good gracious Tim - that is impressive! Now I really feel like a weenie! OK Nick, your turn....

My longest plank hold is about 5 min 15 seconds. :-)

--Reina

Reina wrote:My longest plank hold is about 5 min 15 seconds. :-)

--Reina

That is awesome! I'm impressed - and very very weak in the core!