My back is killing me!

imawakeboardguy · Newbie Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

I'm new to wakeboarding (learned this summer) and finally cutting across the wake and just beginning jumps. I'm having a blast.

BUT, man, my lower back really hurts while wakeboarding, and even more the next morning. Those lower back muscles seem to be really getting a strain on them from having my body twisted sideways while being pulled forward.

Is this normal? Do others experience this? Any suggested tips, stretches, etc. that might help would be appreciated.

n00b · Criminal Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 94 City: Dublin, Irl

I get this, right in the base of my spine. My first season too, as the season wore on it affected me less but I had to stop a few runs early cos it was just hurting too much.

My season is oer now but I'll be working out doing excercises to strengthen my lower back and get it used to prolonged strain.

But if anyone has suggestions I too would be happy to hear them.

Justin 25 · Addict Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 797

Yes, this is normal. Wakeboarding uses different muscles than you're used to, so it tends to happen to everyone during their first season.

stuzzy07 · Newbie Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 13 City: Pembroke Pines

Yeah i have the same problem, but mostly in my side muscles(obliques). Stretching before usually helps and doing exercises that work out the muscles that are sore will help. You'll pretty much just have to ride and let your muscles adjust.

ccameselle · Criminal Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 63 City: Miami

Hey stuzzy07,

Where do you ride? I see that you are in P. Pines I ride in Miami and I am new to the sport. Just looking for people to ride with.

Thank you CC.

Justin 25 · Addict Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 797

Oh yeah forgot about that, definitely make sure you stretch before you ride. It helps with the soreness. Very Happy

jakenj · Posted: Oct 19, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject:

yah i had this problem, just get your back popped by someone a lot and just take it easy for a while

stuzzy07 · Newbie Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 13 City: Pembroke Pines

ccameselle, I don't have a boat to ride on, so I ride at Ski Rixen in Deerfield beach. It's only about 30 mins on the turnpike from me so it's not bad at all. The website is www.skirixenusa.com if you want to check out the site.

OuachitaWaker · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 577 City: Hot Springs

dude if you eat protein and stretch properly, first of all your pains will stop, second your lower back will get in amazing shape, youll get the v in the lower back and your obliques will look good too. ever notice most wakeboarders are cut? wonder why?

sgwake · Criminal Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 63

wakeboarder07 · Posted: Dec 25, 2006 6:57 am Post subject:

i also had this pain in my lower back...don't worry it goes away in time

BioliteRy · Outlaw Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 206 City: O-town

If you train your back in the off-season (if you have one) doing squats etc. i find doing stiff legged dead lifts the best, it works those two lower back muscles, but it streches the back of your legs and back out its great. I have a terrible back as well. and of course! stretch stretch stretch stretch.

wake_quake · Posted: Jan 08, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject:

if its in your lower back just to the sid of your spine, it is most likley a twisted pelvis, you need to vistist a chiropractor asap to get it fixed

SeaLyon · Posted: Jan 13, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

mkperceptions · Newbie Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

who is this guy that always talks about protein. Man im glad i went to college protein aint gonna help you, stretching will help wonders and just like anything else the more you do it the more your muscles will become accustomed and conditioned to the sport.

jjaszkow · Posted: Feb 22, 2007 8:25 am Post subject:

In addition to stretching, proper hydration is also key.

LakePrincess14 · Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 39

Ahh, I've had the same problem. Not with Wakeboarding though, Mostly with slaloming. Keeping my back arched just kills it. I usually just ice it or use those hot patches things before I go to bed that night.

Alt_Adjust · Newbie Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 22 City: Atlanta

Don't forget about the abs. Strong abs help take a ton of strain off of your lower back.

Improvise · Criminal Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 66 City: Columbia

Just board more. I try to go three times a week, and after two weeks all the pain is gone.

zombeh · Posted: Mar 25, 2007 3:38 am Post subject:

yeah my back gets really sore too and i'm in my 3rd season

prior40 · Addict Joined: 20 Feb 2004 Posts: 579 City: Palo Alto

If your abs are out of shape your back is going to hurt no matter what. Do lots of crunches and things like leg lifts to get your lower abs in shape and it will help with your lower back a lot.

Roo_Man · Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 City: Monroe, WA

I have a personal trainer that I am using to help me get fit. One of the things I am focusing on is improving my core strength and balance.

If your back is sore a lot, then stengthening you core should help. There's a ton of excersizes that you can do at home to accomplish this.

Just Google "Strenghthen Your Core" and you will find lots of info. One excersize I do is called 'Supermans'.

-Roo_Man

frymantcu · Outlaw Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 111 City: Fort Worth

mkperceptions, Protein is the 'basic building block of muscle', therefore it helps repair and regenerate new tissue a whole lot better than a Big Mac!

But Roo_Man, is right, it is all in the core! I switched from working out each group separately like chest and tris on Monday, legs wednsday, and back and biceps on Friday to a whole body workout and have made significant progress with my overall strength, balance, and my abs! Try this Core Workout

Eat my wake · Newbie Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

the more you board the less pain you have like the othe guy said go like three times a week and before you know it no more pain and you're good to go. Very Happy

KristianB · Posted: Apr 02, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:

If you lean over allot while boarding you'll get back pains. Try straightening your poise and I'm sure you'll in less pain.

Well it worked for me!

/K

eastcoastsurfer · Newbie Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 16 City: Mount Pleasant

What everyone else said. You need to get a good full body workout going. This includes squatting, dead lifting, ab work, etc... If you want a good book for <$20 with lots of workouts and instruction check out New Rules of Lifting.

metallicarocks28 · Newbie Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 21

If it doesn't hurt the first part of season. You're not trying hard enough. This Happens to everybody

OuachitaWaker · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 577 City: Hot Springs

mkperceptions, wow mr. 1 post you have NO idea what ur talking about. My friend is studying nutrition at the U of A and if you dont eat enough proper protein after wakeboarding, and LOTS of carbs and calories before wakeboardering you will feel 10x more like sh*t the next day.

dumby wumby

Seth818 · Criminal Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 69 City: Enid

just keep on boarding... they will strengthen as you progress... mine did

GuitsBoy · Posted: May 15, 2007 6:15 am Post subject:

Protein, creatine or other supplements are of limited help...

The soreness will happen to any muscle when you first start exercising it. Stretching is generally always a good idea and helps prevent injury due to pulls, but it also wont really help with soreness. With time the soreness goes away as the newly used (abused) muscles get used to the strain. You could try going light the first few times out this season, but it may or not be worth it to you. I just deal with the soreness.

For more reading, google DOMS or "Delayed Onsets Muscle Soreness". Its a popular topic for weight lifters, but it holds true for wakeboarding or any activity.

BioliteRy · Outlaw Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 206 City: O-town

haha, its not like you need to sit there drinking protein shakes. Just workout, stretch, get your core ripped like 'R-NOLD. Hydrate and get some grub back in your system, stretch before and after. booya

Hero · Outlaw Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 129

Its most likly back spasms, ive got them right now. It doesnt bother me to much if i strech.

oshensurfer · Posted: Jun 08, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject:

imawakeboardguy,
Protein, creatine, blah blah.

My guess is that since you're new to the sport you're bending at the waist and not keeping your back straight while you are just riding.

Just a hunch...

Lizrd · Posted: Jun 30, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject:

delete