Back Exercises: Worth It but Often Ignored

Toning and stretching the back: essential!

Do You Work the Back?

I was doing the 30 Day Shred recently and was listening to Jillian Michaels talk about back exercises. How often does the casual exerciser really concentrate on the back? It you're me, then rarely ever--and we're missing out on some stretching and strength work that could benefit our desk jockey lives.

Do you spend a ton of time of the computer? I definitely do--at least 12 hours a day! Because of this, I've been trying to concentrate on stretching and keeping limber to avoid rounded shoulders. When combined with therapeutic massage, you'll definitely see a difference over time.

The Cat Cow is one of the easiest moves to do to help keep your back both healthy and strong. I started doing this just a few weeks ago, and it really helps (especially when combined with dumbbell rows!).

To try the Cat Cow, you'll need to be on a mat on your hands and knees--your wrists will be right under your shoulders, and your knees will be under your hips. Now all you need to do is start arching and rounding your back in 15-second intervals. The "Cat" is an arched, 15-second position on all fours, and then the cow is a rounded back position held for the same amount of time without moving your hands or knees (I found pictures here). Alternating between the two, you're feel the stress seep out of you--and your back loosen its tight spots.

Give some love to your back... if you're like me, it could use some attention!

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