Lower Back Pain Due to Leg Press Machine

I was digging in my YouTube channel and came across this video. And I don’t think you have seen it. I know you will find it exciting and get you thinking about lower back pain ^[1] & the leg press machine.

A leg press machine is a weight-training machine used to perform leg exercises. It can make your workout different and more challenging. If you’re looking for a way to tone your body while challenging your muscles, consider purchasing an at-home leg press machine. They’re a great way to build muscle, increase strength, and burn calories.

You’ll also benefit from the leg press machine’s versatility. Yes, the leg press machine is excellent and versatile workout equipment, but you can use the leg press machine to do so much more. You can use it to work on your upper body, lower body, and core. You can even use it as a way to increase your flexibility.

Does the Leg Press Machine Cause Lower Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common health problems, with more than 50 million people experiencing it in the United States alone. Fortunately, back pain can be easily treated. There are, however, times when it is caused by an external factor and is not, therefore, a result of your actions. This is the case with a leg press machine that causes back pain.

Just as your back can be injured by improper lifting, your legs can cause damage to your back if they are not exercised properly. This is why it is essential to exercise correctly. Leg press machines can be caused by overuse.

If you are doing leg presses regularly, you are putting more pressure on your back than usual. Your body adapts to this higher pressure, and your back muscles become weak. This can lead to leg press machine back pain caused by direct pressure on the spine. You can prevent leg press machine back pain by properly taking care of your back ^[2].  

There are types of Leg press machines that put or comes at a risk of injury they are;

• Incline Leg Press
• Seated Leg Press

What happens to Lower Back in Leg Press?

It loads up the legs, changing the position of the Pelvis and making the pelvis tilt. For the spine, the spine ends up flexing or flattening the back and ends up putting the load on the lower legs, and the change in the Pelvis and the lumbar spine and you end up placing the disc into a disc herniation position.

Why Does the Back Get Injured During a Leg Press Exercise?

You might be unable to maintain a neutral spine in a seated position. One reason could be incorrect core activation, so they don’t have the proper firing pattern when activating the core in that seated position. They might lower the weight too far down and have poor hip and lumbar flexion control.

What Can your Client Do if they have issues with the leg press machine?

You can have a different leg press machine or bodyweight squatting exercises, so one is Hack Squat Machine, Supine Leg Press, and Ball Squats.

CLICK HERE to watch the video on how the leg press machine can cause lower back pain

Cool video?

When I learned and tested the information, I knew I had to share the news with you.

Okay, okay. Some people will say, “I never use the leg press.”

“Leg press machines suck.”

“Only uncool people use the leg press machine!”

Like everything in the gym, like kettlebells, everything has a role.

8 Reasons Why Rick Uses the Leg Press Machine

1. I use the leg press for knee injury recovery.
2. I use the leg press to teach tracking of the lower limb with my clients.
3. I use the leg press for a client that is new to the gym and needs to learn the basics of a squatting pattern.
4. I use the leg press to work on the core stability of the hip.
5. I use the leg press for knee surgery recovery.
6. I will use the leg press to work on the proprioception of the lower limb.
7. I like using the leg press when I don’t want to think and just do an exercise.
8. I use it for variety in the gym.

Everything in the gym, studio, recreation center, home gym, etc., has a role.

Hey, I hope this helps you out.

If you are a fitness professional looking for a fitness education course where I go into more detail, you can check out Exercise Rehabilitation of the Lower Back.

Well, I think that is it for today. Have a great weekend.

If you want to do more reading on back pain, these posts may interest you:

• Most Important Exercise to Overcome Lower Back Pain
• What I do When a Back Flare Up Hits

Rick Kaselj, MS

Now you can relieve your constant back pain in days and cure it in weeks by following a simple exercise program. Don’t spend money on medicines, pills, supplements, doctors, drugs, or surgery. Check out this Low Back Pain Solved!