Tension in lower back

[vickster]

But be cautious not to do more damage doing sit ups etc. best to start slow and careful

 

[fossyant]

Silly question OP, but were you doing the same amount of ycling in the four months as 'usual'.

I say this from experience.

I spent a few years not riding as much as I did - job change meant no bike commuting. Still cycled though at weekends. Biggest issue was time on bike though, anything over an hour got very painful. Bikes were the same as they had been for over 10 years. As I got back into the regularity/distance, everything improved.

I didn't change the bikes, just got used to them again. This was about 8/9 years ago. No issues now. I commute 26 miles a day, but no long rides cause me any back issues now, eventhough my rides aren't long, I'm cycling a minimum of 8-10 hours a week, 2 x 45 minutes a day. I know a couple of weeks off causes me issues when I jump back on my bike.

 

[speccy1]

Silly question OP, but were you doing the same amount of ycling in the four months as 'usual'.

I say this from experience.

I spent a few years not riding as much as I did - job change meant no bike commuting. Still cycled though at weekends. Biggest issue was time on bike though, anything over an hour got very painful. Bikes were the same as they had been for over 10 years. As I got back into the regularity/distance, everything improved.

I didn't change the bikes, just got used to them again. This was about 8/9 years ago. No issues now. I commute 26 miles a day, but no long rides cause me any back issues now, eventhough my rides aren't long, I'm cycling a minimum of 8-10 hours a week, 2 x 45 minutes a day. I know a couple of weeks off causes me issues when I jump back on my bike.

Sorry for the delay in answering, only just seen your post!

When I started at the gym I cut the cycling down, from 6x50 miles rides per week to 3x30 per week. I`ve put on a stone in weight since I started, so come to the conclusion that my back is complaining about supporting the extra upper body weight. It`s just not easing, within 20 mins of starting (can almost set my watch by it) the left hand lower back area tenses up and shortly after the other side joins in, and then it totally ruines the ride

 

[speccy1]

Just an update, have done no gym work for 3 weeks now, and can ride miles with no back pain whatsoever, don`t get it - a good reason to bin the gym membership and stick to the bike though

 

[oldroadman]

Just an update, have done no gym work for 3 weeks now, and can ride miles with no back pain whatsoever, don`t get it - a good reason to bin the gym membership and stick to the bike though

The weight work seems to have got your body out of balance. Not uncommon, and the weight gain is not helpful. If you must do gym work, don't do heavy weights. people in gyms fail to understand that not everyone is a "body builder" type. Add the heavy work to things like protein supplements (and nothing else!) and the result is bulk. Useless for cycling. These methods just build up bulky heavy muscles. Use light weights and multiple reps. This tends to create strength and, more importantly, endurance. My own winter routine in race days (years ago!) was twice a week circuit training, runs, very light weights, and about 250km a week steady riding, before proper training started in late November. Never gained a gram of weight, in fact some winters it came down a little, all to the good. Keep away from heavy weights, lose the weight, and chances are the pain won't come back.

 

[speccy1]

The weight work seems to have got your body out of balance. Not uncommon, and the weight gain is not helpful. If you must do gym work, don't do heavy weights. people in gyms fail to understand that not everyone is a "body builder" type. Add the heavy work to things like protein supplements (and nothing else!) and the result is bulk. Useless for cycling. These methods just build up bulky heavy muscles. Use light weights and multiple reps. This tends to create strength and, more importantly, endurance. My own winter routine in race days (years ago!) was twice a week circuit training, runs, very light weights, and about 250km a week steady riding, before proper training started in late November. Never gained a gram of weight, in fact some winters it came down a little, all to the good. Keep away from heavy weights, lose the weight, and chances are the pain won't come back.

Many thanks, was very interested to read your post. I know the two things, weights and cycling don`t go together as such, but was still hoping to combine the two but to no avail. Just as well as boredom has led me to cancel my gym membership, it soon turned into a chore!

Come back bikes, my babies, all is forgiven