Proper positioning to avoid back pains

Whether you’re short, tall, thin or fat, one thing almost all DJs complain about is a painful back. It’s all too easy to hunch yourself over the decks or be forced to work at a DJ setup that isn’t right for your height. There are a few ways to help prevent getting back pains when DJing and ease any pains you may already have.

The common consensus for what is the right height for a DJ deck seems to be whatever feels comfortable for you. What may feel comfortable now may actually be causing long term damage to your body structure especially your back. Of course, personal preference still plays an important part in choosing the right height for your controller, turntables and mixers.

In a DJ booth, most console stand or tables are around 90cm tall. Add the height of your decks to get a final height around 100 cm. This is a little short for most people but it’s easier to work on decks that are too low than decks that are too high. The downside being decks and mixers that are too low will inevitably make you bend over, hurting your back. The best alternative will be for you to raise the decks with a case lid or some other means.

Wearing the wrong shoes while standing for extended periods of time can do a surprising amount of damage to your back as well. They can also drastically affect your posture, forcing your back into an unnatural position. You can easily eliminate this problem by finding comfortable shoes to wear while DJing. Something with an extra padded insole offering better support to you while you stand does the trick. Running or walking shoes are good for this. Ladies, avoid high heels with you desire to rock the dance floor for longer hours. You may look great but nobody can see them behind the DJ booth and they’re only doing your back more damage than good.

While you’re getting into the vibe and at one with your DJ gear it’s all too easy to hunch over them and forget what you may be doing to your back. It’s often not the position that hurts but returning to a normal position that causes the pain to kick in. So, you may not even notice you’re doing it.

Remember when you’re in the mix, stand up straight. Stretch out your arms rather than extending your body over the DJ equipment. Stand directly over the deck or turntable you’re working on. There’s no need to stand centrally over your mixer and stretching to reach the decks. Try and work with the DJ gear below your arms so you’re extending them downwards to control.

It all seems so obvious when you stop to think about it. But do you stop to think about it when you’re totally lost in the music? Probably not. Take a moment every so often to check exactly how you’re standing. If you’re tall there is another trick to get your hands closer to the decks. Rather than bend your back try standing with your legs further apart. Do this with one leg in front of the other, bending my knees slightly rocking back and forth as you mix. This not only lowers my body to reach the DJ equipment but also makes me dance. Admittedly it’s an unusual style but it works if you’re tall and needs to lose a few inches.

To be continued next week…

My recommended party pace pusher for this week is Naira Marley – Mafo