The Consequences of Bad Posture

While most people know about the importance of good form while performing weight lifting movements, many forget about the consequences of bad posture. Bad posture does more than just impact how you look, it can really prove to be a negative influence on many areas of your life, so making yourself aware if you’re using bad posture is a must.

Here are the main things that bad pasture will do.

Increased Injury Risk

Possibly the biggest side effect to having bad posture is the increased injury risk it puts you at. Every time you perform a weight lifting movement – the squat, lunges, shoulder press, lateral raises you are putting your spinal column in an improper position with weight loaded on top of it. This just makes the situation ten times worse because now you’re really taxing those vertebrae, essentially asking for a problem to happen.

Even if you aren’t into weight lifting and you’re mostly just performing sports or other activities, having bad posture means if you are hit or twist yourself into a funny position, there is a very good chance that your body is going to suffer from some type of muscle strain or pull.

Increased Bone Problems

Secondly, when you’re using bad posture there is a higher risk for bone problems as they have excess stress from the body placed upon them. If you are not standing up straight, the spine will feel the effects of gravity acting downwards, and over time this may weaken the bones, tendons and ligaments.

Decreased Height Growth

Moving on, in addition to having bone issues, you may also not reach your maximum height potential, especially if bad posture is assumed during the younger years when primary growth is taking place.

When you are in a hunched over position, the muscles in the back can actually shorten so they are almost permanently locked in this position. Obviously there are some techniques to remedy the situation, but it takes a lot of work and time to overcome.

Increased Appearance of Body Fat

If you’re looking to lose some weight, straightening up with your posture is one way to accomplish this goal instantly. People who are constantly hunched over tend to have stomachs that protrude outwards, which makes them look much softer in the middle than they really are.

You’ve likely noticed this if you’ve ever stood up straight and instantly felt thinner. That’s proper posture at work for you.

Decreased Exercise and Sport Performance

Finally, the last consequence of bad posture is decreased sports and exercise performance. When you’re using bad posture, you aren’t going to be able to breathe as well, hence your endurance will suffer and you likely will find you fatigue faster when performing strength or sprinting activities.

So, be sure bad posture is not getting the best of you. It’s definitely worth your while to take steps to improve your posture if you currently aren’t standing as tall as you could be.

Bad Posture
Exercise Program For Perfect Posture