Thread: My back tightens up during workout, so I stop.

Get off the machines and work on you posterior chain. Deads, squats, rows, etc. If your back is fatigueing due to these types of excercises, fine but if it is fatigueing doing pec dec's or bench press, then you either have an incredibly weak back or you or using terrible form.

You shouldn't have back pains that bad.

Post up your stats, routine, & diet.

6'3", 395lbs, 30yr old.


Since December:
Gym 3 days a week for about 1.5 hours each day.

Staying between 2000 and 2500 calories a day.

I'm not sure what else you are looking for.

I went to the gym again last night, I went straight for the weights and only did 30 minutes on the treadmill at the end. My back felt fine. Could my usual 60-75 minute treadmill sessions be tightening my back up?

Originally Posted by djturnz

6'3", 395lbs, 30yr old.


Since December:
Gym 3 days a week for about 1.5 hours each day.

Staying between 2000 and 2500 calories a day.

I'm not sure what else you are looking for.

I went to the gym again last night, I went straight for the weights and only did 30 minutes on the treadmill at the end. My back felt fine. Could my usual 60-75 minute treadmill sessions be tightening my back up?

Dude there's your problem; you are a really really big guy!!! What you are doing is fine it will get better as you lose more weight. Man it is hard to believe that you only eat 2000 to 2500 calories a day. I my self will be dying of hunger. With the weight you are carrying i think you eat more???? Make sure to count your calories correctly But just keep up with the workouts. I think you need to get on the bike or ellipse. Running and walking will put to much strain on your knees.

I have never had knee problems or pain. Just my back.

I used two different calculators and both had me at a little over 4000 mantanence calories. I chose 2000 just because it's what all the nutrition labels are based on. (I know, dumb reason)

I posted about 2 weeks worth of my macros and it was suggested that I go up to 3000 to 3500. I increased to 2500, which is difficult. It seems like I am eating a lot to get there. It's better food, but quantity wise, I am eating more than I ever used to.
Soda and Sheetz cappacino were my main useless calories. Now I drink water (tho not as much as I should), diet soda (try to limit to 1 can a day), and take 2 caffeine pills in the morning onstead of the cappucino.

Originally Posted by djturnz

I went to the gym again last night, I went straight for the weights and only did 30 minutes on the treadmill at the end. My back felt fine. Could my usual 60-75 minute treadmill sessions be tightening my back up?

While a sample size of 1 is hardly significant, at least you were able to get through the routine without pain. I'd stay with this (30 minutes of cardio at the end of the workout). The only way to know for sure is do a couple of weeks like this, and then if you experience no back pain, try the 1 hour cardio before your workout (if you dare).

You should hit the weights before cardio, so your new format may be better for you anyway. Good luck with the weight loss.

Originally Posted by djturnz

I went to the gym again last night, I went straight for the weights and only did 30 minutes on the treadmill at the end. My back felt fine. Could my usual 60-75 minute treadmill sessions be tightening my back up?

I'm suspecting that 60-75 minutes has allot to do with it. At your weight that's allot of impact your back has to deal with.

Remember you can't exercise off weight, diet will do that.

Originally Posted by djturnz

I have never had knee problems or pain. Just my back.

I used two different calculators and both had me at a little over 4000 mantanence calories. I chose 2000 just because it's what all the nutrition labels are based on. (I know, dumb reason)

I posted about 2 weeks worth of my macros and it was suggested that I go up to 3000 to 3500. I increased to 2500, which is difficult. It seems like I am eating a lot to get there. It's better food, but quantity wise, I am eating more than I ever used to.
Soda and Sheetz cappacino were my main useless calories. Now I drink water (tho not as much as I should), diet soda (try to limit to 1 can a day), and take 2 caffeine pills in the morning onstead of the cappucino.

What you really need to do is write down everything you eat and drink for a week. At the end of the week look at what you ate. Than add up the calories. How much you are getting from fat and carbs. There are good fat and bad fat. The same goes for carbs. Dude you really should stay away from running exericses til you get liter. OR you start a new tread and cry about your knees. I just my thoughts.

For one, I don't run I walk.

I do keep track of what I eat. I use a program on my phone that tracks calories, fat, carbs, protein and uploads to my profile on a website. I posted that info in a different thread.


Here is what close to 400lbs looks like.


The guy on the right is 6ft, and about 230lbs.