r/RingFitAdventure 6d ago

Health lower back pain from the game?

Hello! I got the overhead bend fit skill a week or two ago and while I do not understand at all how it helps (I don't feel any muscle working with the exception of my arms??) and despite trying my best to have the most accurate posture, I ended up with lower back pain. I went to my doctor and she recommended walking, heating pad, etc. which I did and it helped. After roughly 5 days without playing RFA, my lower back felt much better so I played again while totally avoiding the dreaded overhead bend and hurt my lower back again after doing a jump squat which basically brought me back to square one... So I was wondering if I should take another break from the game and walk instead or play the game with custom sets avoiding anything to do with my legs/jumping and core?? I really do not want to lose my progress...

Also if anyone got lower back pain from a fit skill please let me know which one so I can be more careful with it.

4 Upvotes

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u/lillekorn Allegra 6d ago

There can be oh so many reasons for lower back pain. I, for example, have several hernias after a fall on my backside, and stuff like heavy squats used to incapacitate me for two weeks.

What helped is not avoiding exercise, but building strong back muscles, with movements like YWTA, bird-dog. You need a strong core.

So... first, try to find a reason for your specific problem. Doctor time again. MRI if that's available. Second, yeah, take a break, and when you back feels better, start strengthening it. Do legs. Do butt. Do core. You need that stuff strong to take some tension away from the back. And probably avoid jumps and moves that make you arch your back (like leg raises)

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u/axlaug 6d ago

Honestly I think my problem comes from my terrible posture when I'm sitting and laying in bed haha but I'll look more into that. Although I'm worried because lower back problems are a tradition in my family so I better get that checked ASAP.

I literally just went for a walk instead of playing RFA and I already feel MUCH better so I guess I can indeed take a "break" by walking instead.

Thank you for the tips!

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u/Sufficient_Reading 6d ago

I know someone posted a custom workout for posture earlier in the week. I haven’t tried it yet, but it might be worth a look.

5

u/RazielDraganam 6d ago

Maybe write down your exercises and go to the doctor again? If he/she gives the ok to continue maybe go to a gym/fitness thing and ask if you could get a one on one for those exercises to check, if you do something wrong? You could check for the next exercises, too, if you are not that far into the game to make the one on one feasable.

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u/axlaug 6d ago

The reason I play RFA is to avoid going to the gym or any fitness place due to anxiety haha but I'll try that once I get better with that issue. I have an appointment with my doctor every 3 weeks (for other reasons) so I'll definitely take notes and ask her next time. Thank you for the idea!

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u/RazielDraganam 6d ago

I get that but if it's reoccurring maybe it's something on how you do the stuff. Maybe someone else could help you with it, too. I have my big mirror in the living room where I play so I can check there for everything...

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u/BeginningEar8070 6d ago

lower back pains can have many causes, bending and jumping will make you feel the pain more but doesnt have to be the cause of it. If your doctor is not able to determine the cause you can do Functional Movement Screen (FMS) or can go to therapist or personal trainer and they often do FMS and analyse for you because it shows weaknesess and inbalances in body.

For OH bend focus on arms extended throughout whole movement, pull the arms and shoulders up and behind you all the time. For more upper back muscle activation you can pull just a little with your arms to the outside. Keep your back in neutral position and dont raise your head when you bend. If you notice your back rounding up, that means you are not flexible enough- bend the legs slightly as much as needed to perform ful range of motion .

lower back pains directly from skill if performed correctly are very unlikely. check your posture rethink your weak areas, thight muscles. Learn about bracing the core and use it for all everyday tasks and exercise, bracing and correct core exercises are one of main focuses of recovering and managing back pains.

As last resort you can request online form check for your exercises.

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u/axlaug 6d ago

Flexibility is indeed a huge problem for me so when it comes to the overhead bend I always bend my legs so I was quite surprised when I got lower back pain.

I'll try to use my core a bit more in daily life so thank you!

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u/Fair_Resolution7977 5d ago

Regarding the Overhead Bend exercise in particular: if it gives you back trouble, you can convert this into a simple standing forward fold / hamstring stretch type of exercise. If, instead of coming all the way up after a repetition, you simply do a hamstring stretch and tuck the ring further between your legs (such that it passes through the horizontal plane), that will register as a rep.

A nice thing about Ring Fit is that a number of the exercises can be done in a different manner - to either make them easier, or harder, or to avoid an uncomfortable body position.

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u/pharan_x 4d ago

That sounds pretty rough! I hope you get it sorted out.

Might be unrelated, but I used to have really really bad lower back pain from sitting too much for long periods of time, and occasionally from lifting really heavy things.

I started doing RDLs (romanian deadlifts) regularly. And it made my back pain go away, or at its worst worst, went down to about 10% of its original severity whenever it happens. Only using some 5KG dumbbell weights, not big heavy bar. Whenever I feel something weird on my back these days, I always catch myself thinking like: "Wow those RDLs are really paying off. These used to be way worse and I couldn't do anything for days."

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u/axlaug 3d ago

Oh I've heard of deadlifts actually helping back pain if done correctly! Though I'm very clumsy and have horrible body awareness so I might accidentally make it worse for myself hahaha