Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 382, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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abs exercises with a bad back

BRETTO
BRETTO
Posts: 201
Joined: 2002/05/25
United States
2002/07/10, 12:41 PM
I hurt my back a few times when I was a kid but never went to a doctor. Once I fell out of a tree and REALLY got the wind knocked out of me. The other time my brother "sailed" into my lower back, knees first, playing football. (I'm slightly more intelligent these days, incidently) I'm 33 now and my back seems relatively normal, aside from occasional stiffness from sitting or driving too long, which I guess is normal. My problem is that I can't seem to do sit-ups nor any related exercises without tremendous aching/burning pain in my lower back after only 6 or 7 reps. It's been this way for years. It's definitely a muscular pain, not a skeletal/spinal pain. Otherwise I'd take it much more seriously. Could this just be very weak back muscles that just need to be developed? Should I just keep doing the exercises the best I can and slowly kick this problem in it's ass?
mikencharleston
mikencharleston
Posts: 1,585
Joined: 2002/01/09
United States
2002/07/10, 01:20 PM
bretto - been there done that. I wouldn't assume it's definitely muscle pain if it burns that much just after a few reps.
rpacheco
rpacheco
Posts: 3,770
Joined: 2001/12/13
United States
2002/07/10, 01:45 PM
I would actually suggest NOT doing sit ups anymore. Why don't you do some Good Mornings instead? Start with just the bar, then gradually put some weights as your lower back gets stronger.

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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
rpacheco
rpacheco
Posts: 3,770
Joined: 2001/12/13
United States
2002/07/10, 01:46 PM
Also, full sit-ups work the hip flexors more than the abs. For abs, regular crunches will work much better!

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**_Robert_**
Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
dsarco
dsarco
Posts: 102
Joined: 2002/03/13
United States
2002/07/10, 02:00 PM
Rpacheco is right, can the situps, and start doing crunches. I recommend back extensions to strengthen your lower back. Whenever your working the lower portion of your torsoe, its best to hit all three muscle groups: abs, obliques, and lower back. Working all three will give you the overall balance and support you need in your mid-section.

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"Step over to the Abdominator and I will shout slogan's at you"..McBain
ischjli
ischjli
Posts: 408
Joined: 2002/03/13
United States
2002/07/10, 02:14 PM
Hey bretto, I didn't realize your predicament (lower back pain) when replying to your other post about 'good mornings'. So, incorporating GM's en route to your "6-pack" of abs may be necessary after all. If you are hurting that much, go slow as suggested above and try the various lower back exercises as Rob, dsarco, and miken suggested. Just be patient. The back, as you are probably aware can take some time to come around. Good luck.

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Ischjli
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." -- T. S. Elliot
angelheart304
angelheart304
Posts: 2
Joined: 2004/04/02
United States
2004/04/02, 08:06 PM
will the ab excercise equiptment at the gym hurt your back more,
agamble
agamble
Posts: 1,029
Joined: 2003/09/22
United States
2004/04/02, 09:09 PM
I wouldn't think so if they are performed correctly. Consult your doctor. Believe me, you don't want to piss that sciatic off!
angelheart304
angelheart304
Posts: 2
Joined: 2004/04/02
United States
2004/04/09, 01:11 AM
My dr says to keep my ab muscles tight, actually takes pressure off of the back, but he didn't give any spefic exeercises to do that, he said walking would be good, so I try that, but walking doesn't help the ab muscles get tighter, I am at a loss about what to do, I need some help? .
Reddy
Reddy
Posts: 597
Joined: 2003/09/11
United States
2004/04/12, 11:12 PM
Have you tried the 12 week ab training here??


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Reddy

All people smile in the same language
charnae14
charnae14
Posts: 1
Joined: 2006/03/13
United States
2006/03/13, 06:45 PM
I have a bad back and a protruding ab. Could someone please tell me some exercises to do besides crunches, to help me start to flatten my abs?