I have lifted weights for most of my life. I always try to use proper form in all my lifts. I consider this very important because there was one time when I did not. About 20 years ago I worked out in the mornings with a coworker. On one particular morning we were working legs.

We had not done deadlifts before. I had read up on them and thought I knew how to do them. Unfortunately, I had too much weight on the bar for my first attempt. Even though I was in fairly good shape, the combination of too much weight and unfamiliarity with the exercise was a bad combination. Halfway up I felt a sharp stabbing pain in my back. I tried to finish the lift but it was all I could do to lower it to the platform. To make matters worse, my friend easily deadlifted it right after me.

I knew I had done something to my back. I gritted my teeth and finished a very light workout. I made it home, took a shower, and realized that I could not move very well. I collapsed in bed, face down, and stayed that way for the rest of the day. Read more . . .