The Importance and Strength of the neglected back muscles

Nihat Strider/Contributing Writer

The back is one of the most important parts of the human anatomy. It is also one the most neglected. Back muscles give power to the body, that play a major role in all functions.They  connect the hips, butt, chest, shoulder and neck.It is a conjunction between major body muscles of human body parts. Strengthening our back muscles should not be treated as a luxury, but rather an obligation. These muscles do not only serve us in spotting activities and power workouts, they serve us in our daily lives.

Aesthetically, working out the back will give a slimmer waistline and help to create the hourglass body. Working out the upper back, will make us stronger and create the V-shaped fitness model look from the rear view. Often, we are concerned how our muscles and body look from the front,as that is the only side we see in the mirror. Whether for men wearing suits or women wearing dress, a perfect back gives the perfect look for a night out on Miami Beach.

Scientifically, every muscle in our body is directly correlated with its counterpart. For example, biceps with triceps, chest with upper back and abdominal with lower back to achieve strong chiseled abs, then working out our lower back is essential. Without a strong lower back, any regular ab workouts such as sit ups, planks and many more cannot be performed properly. The back gives the body the power and support to all those ab crunches. Similarly, for strong chest muscles, working out our back muscles is indispensable. To have the perfect upper body look, working out our back part of the body is just as important.

If we consider our daily lives, we are either standing or sitting every single moment of the day,
therefore good posture is important and it requires strong back muscles. Sitting down for hours
on end will cause back pain. This pain is extremely common in American adults due to every
single day activity of sitting down for long periods and with untrained posture. Strong back
muscles are essential and directly correlated to good posture.

Our spine holds our entire body together and upright and it is completely surrounded by the back
muscles. Maintaining a strong back will help us stay strong and healthy. Why wait until later and
get back pain? Remember the old adage: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Motivation Monday is a weekly column covering fitness and health. Nihat is a certified personal trainer, for comments or questions email life@fiusm.com