Hi Pugil, After reading your comments and having observed you in warm-ups (you are extremely flexible) I would imagine that the spasm you are getting is due to relative weakness of specific stability muscles. This is really something that I would have to see you in person for so next time I am up your way I will have a look at your back and try to work out what's going on. Until then I would note what weights you are doing (possibly decrease them and the reps as you have suggested) and pay special consideration to technique, especially when fatigued (as you probably are already). Sorry I cannot be more helpful online. Cheers, DT
I have a long history of back problems (among other things) and I try my best not to do things that may strain it or cause it to go into spasm, etc. When that happens, it usually results in me having to visit an Osteopath and pay them lots of money (which I can ill-afford) to get it fixed.
Just lately, I've noticed that my back plays me up a day or two after working on two specific pieces of equipment at my local gym. I frequently do 30/40 mins on the Cross-trainer, then do some Abs exercises - often only on the flooor with no equipment involved other than one of those rocker-type cradle devices.
I then often do three sets on the Adductor and the Abductor thingies, and in the third set doing 15/20 reps with 150+kgs on the Adductor rack and 35 or more reps with a full stack on the other. Afterwards I'm usually ok, except some days I find that one of my hips will be complaining a bit.
The problem with my mid/lower back, however, seems to come on after doing 3 sets of somewhat lesser amounts of weight on the Quads and Hamstrings pieces of equipment. I suspect that it's the quads exercises that's causing the problem, but I haven't tried only doing one of the exercises to isolate the problem-causing exercise.
I also suspect that you'll tell me that I'm either using too much weight (although the amount I'm using already is a bit 'girly' to say the least), or too many reps, or you'll say that my technique must be poor. Which I suspect is the case, especially when knocking out the last one or two.
Having done the self-diagnosis bit, I'd really welcome your comments please Tom.
