Shin said - Almost everyone suggested that I shouldn't lean back and that I need to work on my stomach muscles. I have started doing situps before going to bed and some leg lifts in my office when no one is looking. I have decided to work on correct posture as well as foot brace and seat back positioning before looking into a new paddle. You might consider also strengthening your abdominal muscles using these techniques. [I have been paddling for forty years, mostly slalom racing, and have learned that keeping my abs strong makes a big difference in what happens with my back. Also, I have almost no muscles in my left leg. I had polio as an infant. When I walk, I have to lift my left leg using my hip and lower back muscles. Doctors have told me, all my life, to expect to have back pain. I believe the reason I do not is my strong abs and the fact that I paddle a lot. Two ways I keep abs strong: end every paddling session with about three to five minutes of paddling quickly BACKWARDS. This is also very good for the shoulder muscles. Second is isometrics - standing straight, tighten all your abs by attempting to force your trunk forward as if you were bowing in greeting to someone but resist the movement with your back muscles so that you are fighting all movement and not moving at all. After a little practice with this, you will learn to target specific muscles groups. I do these isometrics every time I am waiting for an elevator or waiting for a stoplight to change. This puts in about a dozen short "workouts" into my work day. Good luck! Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Nov 30 2006 - 05:41:31 PST
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