colleen c

Is there a good back support that is made for bicyclist? I saw one at Amazon but it had no review. Presently, I am using a standard back support like the one where Home Depot employee wear. Problem is the front portion of the support is a little wide for wearing when riding a bike with drop bar.

Long story short. I got back issue especially in cold morning. Week ago, I lifted something not so heavy but I lifted improperly in the cold garage. It was follow by two crunching sound. One from my back and the second one was from me hitting the ground. I've been off my bike for a week now and it seem I will not be riding this week also. This ain't the first time this happen. Twice within 10 years and both time also left me laying on the floor for a good 1/2 hour before able to crawl back up. Both time it was from cold weather. Chiropratic helps but not much.

I do back stretching exercise before heading out on my bike, but sometimes I still get that tightness in my back where that feeling of snapping is present. This is why I am seeking a good back support that works for cycling.

Tractortom

I have two words for you...recumbent bicycle. My Bacchetta Strada has a seat like a lawn chair, is fast and easy to ride for long distances and has a marked aerodynamic advantage over a conventional diamond frame bike. There are lots of different kinds of recumbents out there, all with excellent back support...

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

Researcher

Hi Colleen, ouch --- sorry to hear about your back =(

Q: Do you do back (and/or core) exercises to build up the muscles to support your back? I started doing these 2 years ago and now my back feels way better.

I've read books written by longtime trainers which recommend not to stretch when cold, that it leads to injury.
So for the past 10 years (I'm not so young anymore!) I stretch, but only after a minimum of 15 min warmup.

colleen c

Love to but somewhat limited to my situation. Part of my commute involve being on the train during rush hour and there is already very little space even for a bicycle.



I do some basic stretching excercise such as: Cat-camel, front plank, double and single knee to chest, Bridging, piriformis stretch and one which I forgot the name which involve stretching out both arm outward and reaching for the side wall. I do those in the evening and right before I head out the door. I used to get tightness in my back when I don't do them at all. Since doing those, the tightness had decreased but I still get those unexpected painful snap which I strongly believe they are in the lumbar area of the L1 and L2. I have not done any core exercise.

One thing I did notice is that it help if I use some heat pad before heading out and riding to the train station from home, however sometimes those train don't have the heater climate set right and it gets too cold in the train. When I get off my destination, I feel my back gets all tense up again during the ride from the station to work.

I thinking of trying one of those neoprene waist belt. They may keep my back warm although they don't have support.

Researcher

Wow, it sounds like your stretching is more advanced than anything I do in that realm, way to go!

I really feel doing some (resistance) exercises to strengthen your back (and maybe core) would do wonders for your back issue.
I had really bad knee pain for years, and it wasn't until I started doing some basic/light leg presses to build my quadriceps muscles a little, that anything improved.
So I'm a big believer in doing a little exercise to reduce pain/injury.


Anyways, I spent 20 minutes searching for a decent youtube video or 2, showing some good lower back exercises.
Here you go...hope you check these out:

#1 This woman really knows her stuff. Even the first exercise she demonstrates would be enough to help you I think.

#2 He demonstrates the "Superman" exercise. When I first started doing my back exercises to help my back, I did this same exercise but I didn't lift my legs at all, just my upper body. I did maybe 2 sets of 20 reps every other day, and by the 2nd workout my back was feeling SO much better, no pain, etc.

Just some suggestions in case you decide not to rely on the back support only.

Hope this helps & best of luck !!!

ThermionicScott 

A split isn't going to do much to fix your back.

Leebo

I find regular yoga really helpful, 3 x a week for 20 minutes at minimum. I do lots of commuting and lots of mountain biking, really good for stretching and working other sets of muscles.