New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- One of the few rules to follow when lifting weights, especially for the back, is to not shy away from any kind of support that makes it easier for your spine. So wear a belt during squats and deadlifts or just do safer versions. Make sure your core is engaged and back straight when you push or pull weight and wherever possible, try to incorporate more exercises with chest support. Chest-supported exercises help the back, making it slightly easier to pull, and they are also way more safer.

A really good example is the difference between doing a barbell bent over rows and using a chest-supported rowing machine or doing an incline bench chest-supported dumbbell row. Both exercises work the lats, the traps, and the rhom...