back pain on steep climbs

lismore7

While training recently for the SKT 160, in a few weeks, I've been suddenly getting lower back pain when climbing up the super steep bits i.e. sections of Tickincor and Mahon Falls.
I never have any problems with steadier climbs, it's just going up really steep gradients?
The pain is on the base left side of my back.
Once the steep climbs begin to ease off, so does my back pain??
Anyone have similar problem?

shaka

Are you in or out of the saddle?

I have back issues and when I'm not doing enough core work back starts to get sore on the steep stuff.

nak

shaka wrote: »

Are you in or out of the saddle?

I have back issues and when I'm not doing enough core work back starts to get sore on the steep stuff.

Same here, weak glutes (especially glute medius - common in cyclists) can also lead to lower back pain in cyclists. The plank, clam etc help me.

biketard

I've found that doing Pilates has helped me out greatly with this.

cdaly_

^^^
Same here.

Alek

I used to have lower back pain when climbing from the saddle, spinning (I do not mash at steep climbs). Some stretching and practice helped a lot, no problems now.

It may come back after a week or so without proper climbing, and again - some stretching mid-ride over a day or two and its gone.

NeedMoreGears

I get this on steep or fast climbs. Getting out of the saddle helps but I expect that some core work would also do some good

07Lapierre

Use a lower gear when climbing?

rollingscone

Kettlebells for me, plus sitting up straight on climbs unless it's a short climb that I might get out of the saddle for.

lismore7

shaka wrote: »

Are you in or out of the saddle?

I have back issues and when I'm not doing enough core work back starts to get sore on the steep stuff.

I climb the really steep climbs in the saddle and only get the pain on the steepest bits, which then goes away as soon as the climb levels out.
I do 100 sit ups each morning and have been since putting a disc out 3 years ago, so thought my core muscles were strong enough but maybe they are not as strong as I thought.
I'm 6.2 and quite skinny, so prone to back issues I suppose.
Have been cycling for over 2 years and this is a new development as I've only been training on these steep steep puppies in the last 4 weeks.

nak

lismore7 wrote: »

I climb the really steep climbs in the saddle and only get the pain on the steepest bits, which then goes away as soon as the climb levels out.
I do 100 sit ups each morning and have been since putting a disc out 3 years ago, so thought my core muscles were strong enough but maybe they are not as strong as I thought.
I'm 6.2 and quite skinny, so prone to back issues I suppose.
Have been cycling for over 2 years and this is a new development as I've only been training on these steep steep puppies in the last 4 weeks.

Do you stretch your hip flexors, piriformis etc? My lower back pain came from a combination of weak glute medius and tight hip flexors. I know other people who had the same problem. Pilates/yoga classes for cyclists are a great help.

Maybe try climbing out the saddle, not surprising you're sore if you've only started those climbs recently.

micha5L

Hi

Take a look at the book "Core Advantage" Tom Danielson. There's different levels you can work at. I found it made a
difference.

Brian?

lismore7 wrote: »

I climb the really steep climbs in the saddle and only get the pain on the steepest bits, which then goes away as soon as the climb levels out.
I do 100 sit ups each morning and have been since putting a disc out 3 years ago, so thought my core muscles were strong enough but maybe they are not as strong as I thought.
I'm 6.2 and quite skinny, so prone to back issues I suppose.
Have been cycling for over 2 years and this is a new development as I've only been training on these steep steep

puppies in the last 4 weeks.

If you have back issues there's no way you should be doing sit-ups. They're terrible for the lower back.

Beasty

OP - if you are suffering regular lower back pain you really need to get it checked out by a medical expert. Boards does not permit medical advice to be sought or provided, and I'm closing the thread