Today, I will share the six back-saving exercises when squatting. If you get back pain from squatting, here are a few exercises that will help you overcome back discomfort.
Hey, if you are in Canada, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. If you are not in Canada, I hope you spent some time with your friends and family over the weekend.
The family and I went to the Monashee Mountains.
We did a family trip to Revelstoke. We enjoyed the time together and had fun exploring the area.
Enjoy.
CLICK HERE to watch the YouTube video.
I got Alix to demonstrate the exercises.
1. Wall Plank With Knee Drive and Leg Back
Stand against the wall with your arms straight up against the wall. Have your head, shoulders, hips, and legs in a straight line, activating the core. Drive your knee up and then bring the leg back.
Wall Plank With Knee Drive and Leg Back
As you bring the knees up, you are working on knee flexion and working on squat depth. As you bring the legs back, you are working on stretching the hip dynamically as well as working on activating the glutes and the hamstrings.
Perform one set of 5 reps on each leg, so a total of 10 movements in a smooth, controlled movement, holding the end position for a second.
2. Knee Bent-over Rows
Feet are both hip-width apart and then bend through the hips. The trunk, head, shoulders, and hips are in a straight line making sure to activate and contract the abdominal area, then go through the rowing movement.
Knee Bent Over Rows
Perform one set of 10 reps in a smooth, controlled movement, holding the end position for a second.
When squatting, some people get pain when they move into an upright position and then forward-flex the trunk. We want to strengthen the muscles that help decrease the stress in the forward-trunk position. Going through the bent-over row exercise helps strengthen the core area.
3. 90-90 Hip Flexor Stretch
Kneel down with one knee down and one knee bent. Tighten up the abdominal area, glutes, and hamstrings, and then bring the hips forward to stretch out the hip flexor.
90-90 Hip Flexor Stretch
Perform one set of 2 reps on each side, alternating back and forth, holding the end position for 20 seconds with light intensity.
4. Knee-to-Chest Exercise
Lie on your back and bring knee to chest. We are working on the deep hip flexion. Poor hip mobility and movement lead to back pain when squatting.
Knee-to-Chest Exercise
We are stretching the hip, the outer part of the muscles around the hips, hamstrings, and glutes. Perform one set of 5 reps on each side, holding the end position for 20 seconds with light intensity.
5. Deep Squat With Weights
Grab a kettlebell and utilize that as a weight. You can also make use of a plate or dumbbell. Hold the weight and try to sit back in your hips with elbows on the inside of the knee to stretch out the hip capsule. 
Deep Squat with Weights
Perform one set of 2 or 3 reps, holding the end position for 20 seconds with light intensity.
6. Front Squat
Most people worsen their back pain by placing the weight on their back when performing the back squat as this exercise tends to be more forward trunk flexion. Forward trunk flexion leads to more back pain. Therefore, do a front squat instead of a back squat.
Front Squat
Hold the bar in front of you instead of on your back. Sit down between your knees and drop as low as you can. Ideally, let the hip just past the knees to get more glutes and hamstring activation and then return to the top.
Give these six exercises a go for back pain relief, especially when you are squatting.
Take care!
Rick Kaselj, MS
If you want to learn how to get rid of your back discomfort permanently, then check out the Low Back Pain Solved program here.
