Back Exercises

As we age, our bodies begin to feel the mileage. As you probably already know, the human body is in some ways like a machine. It has a number of parts, and over time they simply wear out. This is why it's crucial to take great care of the body you have. Treat it with respect and feed it the proper foods and nutrients. Oh, and let's not forget about regular exercise. We all need this to stay strong and fully functional. The last thing you want is to be a 65 year old in a wheel chair. Many of the individuals you see like this were not in any accident. They simply didn't take care of their bodies; therefore their parts got weak and gave out. Not good! This is an advertisement for exercise and fitness programs if anything ever was. Just make sure you don't forget those imperative back exercises.

Our backs are the key to it all. Just imagine what you could NOT do if your back gave out or broke. The answer is virtually nothing. Hurting your back is not like hurting your leg or hand. A damaged back can leave you helpless and vulnerable. This is why you should strive to get plenty of back exercises in on a regular basis. Weights are a great start. Now, when it comes to weights, you must first learn to stretch. Start by bending your arm down behind your head, so that your palm is to your back. Press the elbow down and stretch your upper back muscles. You can also stretch this area by pressing your arm across your chest, so that the hand goes over your opposite shoulder. Another couple basic back exercises are as follows; arch your back while standing, so that you're staring at the ceiling, and then bend over and attempt to touch your toes. Just don't over-stretch. You can feel your limit. Now that you're warmed up, it's time for some back rows. Acquire a dumbbell that suits your abilities and bend over, placing the palm of your hand on a weight bench or chair for support. Your torso should now be parallel with the floor. Hold the dumbbell in your free hand and lift straight up to your side and back down. Repeat this exercise 8-12 times per set. Three sets are good to start with. Be sure to work both sides equally.

A couple additional back exercises you may want to try out are the dead lift, which can be done with a barbell and suitable weights; and the military press, which works your back, upper-chest and shoulders. Regardless of which back exercises you choose, be sure not to exceed the weight you can handle. Proper form is more important than heavy weights.