If you suffer from back pain and can't find a sport that's stimulating and challenging enough, the 2024 Olympic Games currently taking place in Paris are the perfect time to get inspired and find a good sport for your back.
In this article, we present the 5 best sports that are good for your back, inspired by the Olympic Games.
Swimming, an ally to gently strengthen your back
Swimming is one of the best sports for your back; this Olympic sport allows you to strengthen your back without any negative impact.
Imagine swimming with the grace of Léon Marchand or Laure Manaudou to improve your flexibility, your posture, strengthen your back and become more athletic, without the risk of back pain!
When you swim, your spine is hyperextended; you no longer need to support it because you're floating on the water. Your spine is under much less pressure than when you practice other sports. In addition, the only resistance you encounter when swimming is the water, so the movements are easy to perform and have no impact on your joints.
This is why swimming is a sport that is good for your back, it is the perfect Olympic sport to strengthen your body and increase your endurance gently.
Gentle gymnastics to strengthen and loosen your back
Take a cue from six-time Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles and incorporate gymnastics into your routine. We're not asking you to perform double backflips and Olympic gymnastics like Simone Biles, but rather to incorporate gentle gymnastics exercises into your routine.
Gentle gymnastics is a good sport for the back, as it helps develop flexibility, improve posture, relieve tension and correct muscular imbalances.
Rowing for a stronger back
Rowing is an Olympic sport that works your entire body, primarily your back, shoulders, and abdominal muscles. Rowing is a back-friendly sport and beneficial for people suffering from lower back pain because it strengthens your back and core muscles without negatively impacting your joints.
Brisk walking for a healthy back
Brisk walking is good for your back. It's an effective way to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, improve circulation, and improve your posture. We recommend brisk walking 3 to 4 times a week to relieve back pain.
Take inspiration from the technique and endurance of Yohann Diniz, world record holder in the 50km, who walks at an average speed of 14.53 km/h.
Cycling, a sport that's good for your back
Gentle cycling is a great way to relieve back pain. Cycling is one of the best sports for your back when your bike is perfectly adapted to your physiology and you ride at a comfortable pace. Cycling works the small muscles located along your spine to support your vertebrae and connect your spine to other parts of your skeleton.
When it comes to cycling, we insist that your bike and your position must be adapted to feel the benefits of cycling on your back and not the opposite, causing back pain.
For more information on choosing the right bike, the right equipment, and adopting a good position on your bike, we recommend you consult our article: Back pain when cycling: Causes and solutions.
By incorporating one of these back-friendly sports into your routine, you can improve your fitness while maintaining your back health. Choose the Olympic back-friendly sport that best suits your preferences—whether you opt for swimming, gentle gymnastics, rowing, brisk walking, or cycling—you'll become more athletic and resilient without suffering from back pain.
