 Be careful of what you lift and how you lift it. First, never lift more than 50 pounds by yourself in any case. If the object is heavier or awkwardly shaped, get help or use a tool like a hand truck or floor lift to raise it. If you do lift something, place your feet near the object, bend at your knees, not your back. Lift with a smooth motion using your legs. Keep it in front of you, don't turn your body at the same moment of the lift and keep it close to you. Finger holding something away from your body as you lift greatly increases the force you put on your back muscles. If you hold even something as small as a two-pound weight at arm's length, or turn as you reach and lift, you can sprain a back muscle. Think before you lift.