Lumbar pain is endemic among desk-ridden males who do not get sufficient exercise. Proper posture is incredibly important for protecting the lumbar spine, and m

Lumbar pain is endemic among desk-ridden males who do not get sufficient exercise. Proper posture is incredibly important for protecting the lumbar spine, and men with weak, lengthened muscles (erector spinae and various others) tend to have trouble even extending the lumbar spine properly at all, and pain results from the lumbar spine being in constant flexion. I say "men" because women generally do not experience this problem. Any exercise that builds strength in the glutes, hamstrings, and lumbar muscles that stabilize the spine, can be highly beneficial for relieving lumbar pain. My favorite exercise for this is deep barbell squats with a straight spine and weight on the heels, as described in Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe. Start with just the bar or no weight at all and increase the load very gradually, focusing on proper form at all times.