Excercises For abs without putting pressure on my back

rebellad

I am looking for some stomach excercises that don't put too much strain on my back. I hurt my back some while ago and when I do sit ups I find my back gets really sore. Any advise??

Colm_OReilly

What have you done to address the weakness in your back? Have you sorted that out of just let it heal?

Are you deadlifting/squatting, as these will hit your core. Anytime you're required to stablise the body while supporting/moving a load you're engaging your abs - so deads, squats, presses all work the core.

rebellad

Had my back sorted through rest/osteopath but every once in a while it gives me a bit of trouble. Not deadlifting/squatting at the moment, will look into getting these into my program. Thanks

Colm_OReilly

rebellad wrote: »

Not deadlifting/squatting at the moment, will look into getting these into my program. Thanks

Do this pronto - these should be the core of any exercise program.

rgiller

I put a list of 5 ab exercises in this thread if you want to have a look here

edges

I recovered from a series of lumbar disk herniations using the following:

Planks, these are excellent, just hold a push up possition (you can do this on your elbows) keep everything tight and your hips tilted under, build to 2 mins then make it harder anyway you like.

A steady diet of swings ( I use kettlebells for most of my training) 2H to start then 1H as I got stronger again. This is similar in action as deadlifting, 2H and then for extra core work, 1H. Start light and be carefull.

Also if you get down to your local karate club and ask about power breathing or sanchin breathing. It'll squeeeze the hell out of your core section. I have to run out now, I may be back to describe it later.

Dave
www.wg-fit.com

Arsenal1986

id second planks seem to be one thatd put least stress on back also maybe serratus crunchs.....

empirix

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

What have you done to address the weakness in your back? Have you sorted that out of just let it heal?

Are you deadlifting/squatting, as these will hit your core. Anytime you're required to stablise the body while supporting/moving a load you're engaging your abs - so deads, squats, presses all work the core.

Excellent exercises although the advice here is a bit vague, firstly wear a support belt, secondly start light and warm up with using just the bar(20kg) and see how you feel

markesmith

You should look at doing hyper-extensions to build up your back muscles. You don't want a muscle imbalance in your core. The lat machine / pull-ups (or are they chin-ups?) are good for this.

I don't know if you should get into deadlifting straight off, I found it hard on my back until my form was correct. And starting off, your form mightn't be perfect.

Hyper-extensions are really good for your back. When they get too easy, you can hold a weight to your chest:
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/ErectorSpinae/WtBackExtension.html

Good ol' exrx.net!

Hanley

...and don't forget, with hyperextenstions you don't want to ACTUALLY hyperextend!!