Heavy Backpack

[george]

Right so when I was at the Rec Center working out, I weighed my backpack after weighing myself and it weight about 15 pounds. Since then I've added a lot of other stuff cause I was behind on homework and I'm pretty sure its atleast more than 20 pounds.

So I was wondering if carrying a heavy backpack is a bad thing? Wouldn't it strengthen my leg muscles from carrying it around all the time?

George

[Bobby]

Nope, it's pretty bad for your back. Try possibly making a homework folder. This way you can only bring home whats necessary. For example, if you have on worksheet for your English class, why should you bring home your whole binder?

[george]

Actually, I organized most of my stuff...sort of. The only reason why its so heavy is *looks in backpack* I have 1 small binder, 2 workbooks, 3 textbooks (which is mainly why its so heavy), and 2 small folders.

I knew carrying it was bad for my back but I was just making sure :)

Edit:Oh hhmm I just realized I took a french book from my french class, no wonder it was heavier.

[Bobby]

Well like I said, only take what you need. And maybe carry a textbook or two just in your hands. It would take pressure off of your back.

[george]

Yeah, I only need to really carry 1 textbook and the other 2 I don't really need.

Thnx Bobby

[Atonement]

I know a lot about backpacks since I have had bad problems with them in the past.

-Heavy backpacks can lead to serious repercussions in back formation, growth and injury.

-For our age group (14-20) our backs are stlil developing, so a backpack weight is safe and healthy between 15-20% of your body weight. weight*0.2=backpack

-Over weighted bags can do things such as bad posture, back pain, join pain, and a palsy in the hands.

-Proper way to wear bag:
-the bottom of the bag should be just at the waist line.
-Organize the bag with heaviest things closest to body
-Keep things close to your body
-If you have to slouch to walk, it's too heavy
-USE BOTH STRAPS!

-Picking up the bag: Though the bag may be heavy, pick it up using your legs NOT just your back. Be slow about it. And the best way to put it on is to put it on a desk or table first so its not a 4 or 5 foot lift to your back.

-things to look for on a good backpack:
-padded shoulder straps
-cinch straps
-multiple pockets to organize contents properly
-handles on top
-optional: wheels

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Hope it helps, i you have any questions, go ahead and ask.

[byee]

Oh, yay for Bobby, he got this one right on!

A heavy back pack is a leading concern for pediatricians, actually. It's awful for your back and legs, esp. the way many kids carry them, low, about to the level just above their butts.

Keep it as light as you can, and cinch the back pack so it's mid point is squarely between your shoulder blades.

[Avalikia]

20 pounds? That's it? Just wait until you get to college; then you'll know what a heavy backpack is. Your precious locker can't save you there. ;) But seriously, pay attention to your back. If it doesn't hurt, you're probably fine; if it starts to hurt, lighten the load until it doesn't. Any pain you feel is far more likely to be the bad, back strain kind and not the good, muscle building kind. (The good, muscle building pain is rare in backs anyway - it's hard to work out your back muscles without hurting your back.)