Proper lifting begins with proper squatting. So many times we sacrifice our backs to pick up something heavy without remembering that the stronger muscles are in our legs. The old adage of lift with your legs is as true today was it was when it was first uttered.

When professional weight lifters are competing do they lift with their legs or their backs? They may bend over some to get to the weights on the floor, but once the weight is shouldered they push themselves up using their massive leg muscles. They use their back and shoulder muscles to support the weight but they use their legs to lift the weight. If this is the manner of lifting that professionals practice then why don’t we do the same?

One reason that we are more prone to lifting with our backs is that we a simply a society that does not squat all that often. Squatting is something we do while exercising maybe, but not all that often during each day. So, it is normal to expect that squatting will make us feel odd or unbalanced, but it can help save your back. Squatting can also improve balance and tone your legs.

When you bend over to lift an object, you are pulling it toward yourself, which with light objects is not too bad of a thing. But for a heavier object this can cause back discomfort because you are pulling the object against gravity using the weaker of your muscles, you back and arms. When you squat to lift an item you are essentially pushing the item up, which is a more natural movement. When you have the object in your arms you then push yourself and the object up using your leg and abdominal muscles, which are stronger and meant more for lifting.