Lifting heavy weights and improper lifting of weights are among the foremost causes of neck pain or lower back pain. Practicing proper lifting techniques is essential to avoid strain on the neck and back.
Prior to lifting weights, stretch slowly and stop lifting weights if you experience any sharp pain. While lifting weights, never bend at the waist. Put one knee on the ground, and use your arms and legs to lift the object onto the opposite thigh. Stand up. Take the object close to the body while lifting the weight and put effort on your legs to get the object off the ground, rather than your lower back.
You will never hear of thigh muscle strain due to lifting weights; that is because the thigh muscles are longer, stronger and more resistant to strain. The muscles and ligaments in the back, however, are shorter and prone to muscle spasm. Hence, while lifting weights, put one knee on the floor, use your arm strength to raise the object to your mid-thigh, and then use the power of your legs to stand up. Another approach is to bend both knees in a squatting position, grasp the object keeping fingers underneath it, keep your back straight, and stand up slowly. In either case, strain your leg muscles to generate the lifting force, not your back muscles.
