Ladies - does pair skating put more stress on your lower back than singles? I'm doing a bit of pairs right now (nothing fancy - throw loop and faux split-twist) and I am experiencing lower back achiness. I also started an off-ice weight training program about 3 weeks before I started trying pairs, so it could be that. I'd like to isolate the problem, though, so that if it's the weights I can adjust them.

I'm enjoying my first foray into pairs - we'll compete in a week and 1/2 at the Buckeye. Should be fun.

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"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

I can only speak for myself, but I do find that pairs puts more stress on my lower back. Worst offenders are the throws, pair spins, and death spirals.

Come to the New Years Invitational in VA in February!!

Welcome to the wacky world of adult pair skating!!!

A strong back is essential for pairs (for both partners).
My pair partner (loopLoop) often practices strengthening her back on the ballet bar before we do any off-ice lifts and such. She can provide more details; I'm just the dumb lug who gets to lift her.

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We don't do much in the way of lifts (a very manky thrown 3-jump is as good as it gets!), and our so-called "pairs" elements is mainly a pivot-spiral. However, we have our couples lesson on a Sunday, mostly in dance with one or two pairs elements thrown in, and I have noticed my back tends to ache more then than after my solo lesson. I assumed that was because I have often done very little on the Saturday - we often have a rest-day then - but since this question has been raised, I wonder.....

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Hmmm... I think it might be the combination of your new weight-training program AND the pair skating. My back doesn't mind doing pairs at all.

I lift weights twice a week and do pilates once a week, and I think due to those my back is pretty strong, as are my abs, which really help to support the lower back muscles. When you're practicing the throw loop, think of activating your abs to stay strong on the landing rather than taking the impact in your back.

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Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

You're probably are feeling it in your back if you're getting started in pairs skating... I no longer skate pairs but my lower back is normally kind of sore, it does take a beating but it should get better...

I skated pairs for quite a while and you should develop pretty strong back muscles, just for lifts alone, never mind death spirals and the pounding you take on throws... your back pain is probably because of the skating and weight training but it's a good thing you're doing training off the ice, that should help you get stronger and decrease pain in your back.... have you started death spirals? Those can really hurt your side when you start.

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Hi,
I did notice this with the throws. They are much higher than the similar jump, and the landing from that height can put an added strain on the back. With the lifts I did build up a nice strong dancer's back, and loved to wear the low back leotards!

Thanks everyone. I won't be too concerned as of yet, unless it progresses into pain.

I did really notice the height issue on the throw jumps. It was like - ok, I'm ready to land....where's the ice....bam! And then came the fall.... Took me quite a few to get used to it, and I still miss sometimes. You sure do need a lot more knee bend on the landing, too, then in a regular jump.

As for the ab/back thing, I can see a problem here with me too. My abs are not the strongest muscle group in my body - core strength is one of the reasons I started an off-ice program.

We are doing a death spiral, but to be honest I assume it's pretty lousy. I haven't seen it yet, of course, but will get the competition tape. No lifts, though. I'm an, ummm, larger than average woman and I was too afraid to even attempt one. Tominina's fall at Skate America certainly doesn't encourage me to want to try one either!

skaternum - one of these years I'll get to the New Year's comp. Unfortunately, my son's hockey budget pretty much guarantees I won't be doing anything requiring an airplane ticket. Mids are still up in the air, as is AN, although I do really want to go.

As for my pairs partner, he has another woman. Sigh. I'm just a replacement because she can't do this competition. I thought it would be a fun thing to try (and it has been ). Since there's not a whole lot of other guys around here that are anywhere near my level, and who aren't already doing pairs, I doubt it will become a full time pursuit. At least he gets to do an axel and a double sal in this program, since we have to skate Gold because of me .

__________________
"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

Size doesn't necessarily matter! Skaternum and I are both taller than average; she's 5'6" and I'm 5'7" and our partners lift us! Granted that the on-ice lifts aren't overheads, but the lifts are as much technique and timing as strength. Have you done any off-ice?

We know who he is! More than one other woman, isn't it? It used to be one in every country, now he's getting them in multiple states too.

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Where are those knives when I need them?
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I need a detachable left foot!

Yep!

__________________
"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

Yes, but judging by the photos I've seen of Skaternum, she's beautifully slender. I don't know whether I've seen photos of you, but I'm sure you are, too. I, meanwhile, am 5'8" and currently weigh about 35 lbs more than my husband does..... (this number is decreasing by about 1 lb per week, but then he complains I'm starving him and loses weight even faster, even though he's not trying! Don't you hate men's metabolisms?!)

Now he can lift me - and has! Off-ice, mind, and we'd both had a few drinks at the time....

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

hmm.. i think it depends on what level your in and how old you are... i am young and just started pairs.... i have a but of back pain but its mosly knee pain... throws put alot of pressure on your knees ..and death spirels dont hurt my back... the momentum of you spinning kinda puts less pressure on your back... well thats how i feel i think every one is different...

Ugh, Loops is unfairly thin. Makes me want to fast!

Skaternum--she's *always* lookin' good!

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

<blush> You're too kind.

Actually, I've been thinking of gaining about 10 pounds just to mess with David's mind. "Why, no. I haven't lost weight. Maybe you're getting weak. Are you sick? You should see a doctor about this unexplained weakness."

By the way, the short documentary film about adult pairs skating (made by one of my co-workers and featuring yours truly) was recently accepted into another film festival. Time to put on my fur coat and dark glasses and avoid the paparzzi!

NO! David doesn't need any more distractions!

Hmm, I think you must have taught Loops this trick already...

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

Ummm... no comment.
Just remember where my blades are when I'm in the air!

Um, I meant that skaternum must have been teaching you about messing with my mind.

Your blades in the air? Not cool. They've already cut my upper left thigh.
YOU should remember that I am *supposed to* catch you in the split twist.

[Isn't pair skating fun?!]

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

lol? are u guys doing pairs together>?

<sigh> yes...

Our training is turning into an R-rated verbal fight. But I just think it adds more zest and tension to our skating and choreography!

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

lol cool! it sounds like u 2 have been doing it for a long time... i just started beging of summer and were doing really good! i think lol double twist overhead lifts... but we still dont act like a pair team yet

Actually, we've only been taking pairs lessons since early February.

It all started from last year's holiday show...

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

sweet! thats cool!

I was a competitive pairs skater last season, and yes my lower back is completely messed up. On my 12thish vertebrae i now have a deformity from the hard landings and falls. My vertebrae used to be rectangular like it's supposed to be, but now it's a triangle... not too good and often i find it hard to get out of bed in the morning... sadly because i'm only 17 and LOVE PAIRS!

Does that mean you don't fight?

I do dance and artistic pairs with my husband, and we are apt to fight like cat and dog while doing it. But all the best teams fight, it's a well-known fact.....

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

lol,,,, umm kinda. im new and hes done it for like 2 years b4 me and im new, but im learning fast, but he pushes me arround like were a tEAM rite?