Buffing and your back.....

StadiumDetail

New member
I've been getting more and more into buffing, sometimes with back to back vehicles, and I've noticed at the end of the day my back aches. I'm pretty young and never had any back problems so it isn't much of an issue, plus it isn't pain so much as it is stiffness. I was just wondering if there are any tricks I should know about or if I need to just suck it up and walk it off ;) ? Or is it just new muscles I'm working and need to get them stronger? I remember when I first started detailing and I was sore at the end of the day after the up/down/up/down, now I can do 10x the work and not even feel it.
 
Your muscles will get used to it assuming proper technique and no underlying physical issues. I'm 48 and have been detailing full time for more than 15 years now and zero back issues.
 
I got over the back pains a long time ago. It will pass in time. Your body adjust pretty quickly. I'm actually beginning to feel it in my wrists at this time. I been buffing for like a 11 years now. I would say 9 of them have been high volume work of 30 to 40 cars a day with other buffers on the car . My fingers pointer finger on my right hand is actually permently bent a little from the buffer trigger. LOL I got a calus on my thumb that looks like bunyon on someones feet. This business really took a toll on my body. Winter is here so pretty soon Ill be waking up and putting my hands undfer hot water for a minute or so to get the feeling back! :2thumbs:
 
Stretching and flexing can really help. Before, during and after. Putting a little

exercise into your daily routine is good idea. Don't get more wrong, i'm no

health nut; i chain smoke and eat nothing but fast food. :)
 
lol Flashtime, I've noticed too that my back gets a little sore after details. I've only been doing it for about 3 years so maybe it hasn't been long enough for me. I've also noticed that i get minor carple tunnel/shell shock in my hands after using a PC on an entire car. It's only temporary, and probably has to do with the counterweight in it, but I'm sure after a few years everything will loosen up and you'll be good to go
 
Thanks for the input guys. I try to follow the proper techniques as much as possible, I also try to bend and the legs if possible to not lean over all day. I like the idea about leaning on the tire, and the idea about streching. I should strech becuase it is so damn cold in my shop at the moment, heating company is taking their sweet time with the install, and I'm stiff starting the day without any work involved.
 
do you have a work out bench at all? Best thing to work out your back, is lay face down, with your waist over the edge of the bench. lift your body up and resist it down. Kinda like a backwards sit up. Hold a weight if you want too. This works best on an inclined bench.



Do crunches too-that will help your ab muscles. The back and abs work together, if one is stronger than the other, it will actualy push against the other and cause pain.
 
tssdetailing said:
do you have a work out bench at all? Best thing to work out your back, is lay face down, with your waist over the edge of the bench. lift your body up and resist it down. Kinda like a backwards sit up. Hold a weight if you want too. This works best on an inclined bench.



Do crunches too-that will help your ab muscles. The back and abs work together, if one is stronger than the other, it will actualy push against the other and cause pain.



This guy is absolutely correct. Its all about training your body. Most people who complain about back problems are usually the ones that dont have little muscle mass in their abdominals. This is a key factor or the body will become "flimsy" and thats where you get your aches. Do some deadlifts, squats, ab-crunches, leg lifts, etc. And do them in 5X10. Then after that, its about proper technique on how you buff. Remember, train yourself before the battle.
 
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