One of the easiest body parts to injure is most certainly the lower back, or lumbar back. The word lumbar is derived from the latin word lumbus, meaning lion, which is fitting considering that many weight lifters get injured while performing their lower back workout, trying to unleash their inner king of the jungle cat—allowing their egos to push more weight than their bodies can handle. Throw in a dose of bad form, and you’ve got the perfect storm for a weightlifting-related injury that will have you wishing that you kept the beast caged.

The lower back area is one of the most overlooked and under appreciated muscle group in the body however it is one of the most common sources of pain according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Rarely do I see people exercise that muscle group and for good reason, it isn’t one of the most problematic body parts. It’s an important muscle group for mobility and stability. Without a strong lower back we would be hunched over looking more like gorillas than a king of a jungle.

Including one of these low back exercises into your lower back workout can greatly increase your mobility and relieve your body of aches and pains caused by constant sitting and bad posture. However if you have never exercise lower back you’ll want to go in with caution. Start off lifting light weight maybe even the bar just so that you can get a feel on how the exercise feels on your lower back.

To significantly lower your chances of back injury and gain strength in your lower back, consider incorporating these isolation exercises into your lower back workout.

Here are three excellent moves to ensure a strong lower back.

7 Moves You Should Avoid in Your Back Workouts

7 Moves to Avoid on Back Day

Bad back? Avoid these moves that could aggravate back pain.

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