did i injure my back?

[audiophyle]

last back day i did some goodmornings and have had a slight pain at the very bottom of my spine slightly below the arch on the right hand side. I wouldnt even call it a pain, more like an annoying twinge whenever i bend over to pick something up or to sit down. Is a back injury an extremely obvious pain or is it more subtle and should i be concerned over this? i can't afford to see a doctor unless it could be something serious.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Goodmornings are quite dangerous, specifically to the area in which you just described brother. If you use a high-trap bar-placement, and aren't getting your form right(not saying you're not), you could be at risk for seriouis injury. Good form requires that you should:

1. Place the bar low on the traps. Similar to where a powerlifter would place it during squats, even if you are going light. The lower the bar is placed on the traps--the less distance between the weight, and the area of most spinal stress, which equates to less stress on said area.

2. Make sure when performing the lift, that the first thing to move is your ass. You need to get your ass BACK, and bend at the knees first, so that the weight is distributed & stabilized more over the Hips and legs, than the lower back.

I saw a Thread posted here a day or two ago, where a dude stated that he just got a new PR on Goodmornings. I mean COME ON. This is one exercise where personal records should be limited to reps with proper form, and NOT amounts of weight for strength. I don't know who the dude was who posted that Thread, but he stated that he did like #245 or some shit, which is crazy. I do 95 pounds TOPS, but with proper form, definitely feel them just fine. In my opinion, always go light, and focus on form when doing goodmornings. The low back is simply too vulnerable during this lift, to risk going that heavy.

Anyhow bro, if you followed good form and weren't too crazy with weight amounts, chances are you might have simply strained the area slightly by the sound of it. Hope it isn't anything more serious than that.

 

[bignate73]

ive seen 700lb good mornings.

the low back is vulnerable if you allow it to be. its no more dangerous than a SLDL or hyperextension.

yes, form is imperative. but you dont have to tip toe around this exercise. it can be performed safely, and there are tons of variations you can try to suit your tastes. differing heights, depths, rounded back, arched etc.

i can truly say, since adding GM's to the mix, my posterior chain is much more stable, and those incidences of twinges in the low back are gone.

 

[revexrevex]

t3c... a member on this board, routinely does below parallel goodmornings with 275 lbs.... and he is only 16 years old

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Good mornings - it's what's for breakfast.

Seriously though, watch your form. Best thing is to post a video.

 

[audiophyle]

thanks for all your advice. I keep putting off getting a digital camera, i really need to get off my ass and get one.

 

[Atomic Punk]

t3c... a member on this board, routinely does below parallel goodmornings with 275 lbs.... and he is only 16 years old

His perogative. In my opinion though, not only is going heavy on GM's completely unnecessary, but(as I said) quite dangerous as well. Deadlift or SLDL heavy if you want to go heavy for lower back. You have TONS more stability with either one of those, in the lower back area.

Sometimes I see stuff posted here that baffles me, quite frankly. Guys who wouldn't hear of performing lifts like behind-the-neck militaries at any weight, but who will go heavy on GM's. I mean, if a person is adhering to a general philosophy of either avoiding, or going light on exercises that leave certain areas vulnerable to injury..I would most certainly think that they would NOT do heavy GM's in any form. Not trying to sound like an ass(although I always seem to sound that way to alot of people), but again, I don't get it.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Most people treat their lower backs with kid gloves, and it ends up being a major weakness. Go to your typical gym and you'll see some guys wearing a belt for every exercise. Go to home depot and you'll see all the employees wearing those stupid belts. People are scared to death to train their backs, when in reality they should build a strong column of muscle along that spine to prevent injury.

I don't think GM's are any more dangerous than SLDL.

 

[ffknight84]

I saw a Thread posted here a day or two ago, where a dude stated that he just got a new PR on Goodmornings. I mean COME ON. This is one exercise where personal records should be limited to reps with proper form, and NOT amounts of weight for strength. I don't know who the dude was who posted that Thread, but he stated that he did like #245 or some shit, which is crazy.

That was me actually. I was doing squat GMs, and I video recorded every single rep i did. Form was near perfect, I had 0 lower back pain, but definately worked the muscles.

What about West Side training, doing 1RM maxes on GMs almost everyweek? If they were dangerous I think all there guys would be rolling around in wheel chairs by now.