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Targeted fight against the widespread disease back pain

16/3/2026

Translation: machine translated

Back pain is one of the most common health problems in Switzerland. In addition to the individual consequences, the economic burden is also considerable: loss of working hours, reduced performance and medical treatment contributions cost billions every year. The Swiss franchise company Kieser has been counteracting this for almost 60 years.

Cyclists who regularly cycle ambitiously are no strangers to pain in the lumbar muscles and shortening of the hip flexors. At least that's how I feel. On the one hand, professional bike fitting, where the bike is precisely adapted to the respective body, can help.

On the other hand, I have been trying for years to get the problem under control with strength training. With some success. The symptoms have eased considerably recently. However, they are not completely gone, especially as far as the shortened hip flexors are concerned.

This is also where the Swiss company Kieser, founded in 1967, comes in. From the very beginning, the company has focused on «health-oriented, high-intensity strength training on specialised, self-developed machines». In the run-up to Back Health Day on 15 March, the company held a media event to provide information on the importance of back health and muscle training.

Dr Gabriela Kieser and Dr sc. ETH David Aguayo, Head of the Kieser Research Department, at the media event at Studio Zurich Airport.

The back and the economy

In the Swiss Health Survey of 2022, 43 per cent of the population stated that they had suffered from back or low back pain in the four weeks prior to the survey, with women being affected more frequently than men. In addition to the direct treatment costs, the annual economic burden is around 8 billion francs, for example due to absence from work or reduced performance at the workplace. Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common non-communicable health problems and are seen as an important driver of rising healthcare costs.

Kieser and the back

Since it was founded by Werner Kieser in 1967, the company has pursued a health-oriented approach to strength training, focussing on people who want to live pain-free, efficient and healthy lives. The back takes centre stage. Because: «The back forms the biomechanical centre of the body and enables stability, movement and power transmission between the upper and lower body», as Dr Aguayo explained at the media event at Zurich Airport.

And further: «Targeted muscle training is considered an important part of the prevention and treatment of non-specific back pain - especially in the ageing Swiss labour market. Prevention through targeted muscle training is internationally recognised as one of the most effective strategies for reducing musculoskeletal complaints.»

In addition to these aspects, targeted strength training has other advantages:

Back health is just one aspect. Strength training also provides a wealth of other health benefits.
Source: Kieser

Machines for back and co. with a focus on the essentials

One of Kieser's specialities is the development of its training machines. These are created in close cooperation and dialogue between scientists and engineers. The 170 or so Kieser Standard studios around the world each have up to 38 different types of machine, many of which were developed in-house. Over 6000 strength machines worldwide.

The company also operates its own quality control system and an internal training and documentation centre, which all employees, from instructors to research managers, have undergone. This ensures quality for customers.

Mechanics of the Kieser training machines.

After Back Health Day, the Swiss Back Days will take place in Switzerland from 9 to 14 November. This is a campaign organised by ChiroSuisse, the Swiss Chiropractic Association. The aim is to provide information about the causes, prevention and treatment options for back problems.

Header image: Patrick Bardelli

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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