If there is one thing that can ruin your exercise career, it’s lower back pain. You see, lower back pain can be debilitating and de-motivating.

And there are so many methods and solutions for getting rid of back pain that it can be a little daunting.

Thus, here are 6 strategies for getting this area in top shape:

1. Use a weightlifting belt: Don’t worry about your core getting weak, this is a wives tale. The only way your core will get weak is if your wear a belt all the time. So just use it when you are doing more risky movements like squats.

2. Use lumbar supports as much as possible: This will prevent the delicate discs in your lower back from having to accept abnormally high amounts of pressure. After all, the human back was not made to be in the seated position.

3. Work from the standing position as much as possible: Although this may seem extreme, it’s arguably the best thing you can do for your lower back. Again, your back is not made to be in the seated position. So avoid it as much as possible.

4. Be really careful right when you wake up: When you wake up fluid isn’t optimally distributed within your discs. And if you bend over or try to lift something heavy right when you wake up, you put yourself at greater risk here.

5. Exercise the stabilizing muscles in your core: Don’t do crunches or sit-ups all day. Instead, do exercises that work on your stabilizing muscles for the best results here. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your lower back.

6. Use your hands as posts: Whenever you bend over or pick something up, post your hand on something. This will transfer the load from your lower back to your arm. This simple technique can remove a tremendous amount of stress from your back.

You need a healthy lumbar spine to function like a normal person. If your lower back fails, you will not be able to move very well. So use this information if your lower back is unhealthy.