Why Squats Are Hurting Your Back

Squats are integral to most fitness routines. This exercise is an excellent way to work your entire lower body and decrease your risk of injury in other parts of your life. However, squatting won't do you much good if it's causing pain. Some people may feel pain in their lower backs when performing a squat. According to Health Shots, there are a few different reasons you may be feeling uncomfortable when doing squats.

You should first look at your form if squats hurt your back. To squat with correct form, start with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms at your side (via Healthline). Keep your chest up and your spine neutral as you slowly lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Make sure that your knees do not buckle inward or lean outward. When you have reached the bottom of your squat, use your feet to push yourself back to starting position. If you are confused about proper squat form, you may want to consider working with a personal trainer until you feel confident doing it on your own.

If you already have a back injury, squatting is probably not the best exercise for you (via Health Shots). While you may be able to squat with a back injury, you should only perform this exercise under the guidance of a physical therapist who can ensure it won't cause more pain. A lack of hip mobility can also cause pain when squatting (via Be Balanced PT). If you only start to feel pain when you get into a deep squat, try placing a chair behind you and only lowering yourself to the height of the chair. The more you squat and stretch, the better your hip mobility will get. Eventually, you will be able to perform deeper squats without hurting your back.

According to Men's Health, you can try performing different kinds of squats until you find one that does not hurt your back. If any type of squat is still causing back pain, you probably want to schedule an appointment with your doctor or a physical therapist. They can help you determine where your pain is coming from.