ab workouts and back pain

[donjt81]

I have a bad problem with abs and back. Anytime I do any kind of ab workouts... the next day i have lower back pains. Doesnt matter what kind of ab workout i do. i have the same problem. Then i have to wait a week for the back to heal and then i start ab workouts again. but then when i start working out abs i have the back pain again.

I know that i have to tighten abs when i do crunches and leg raises and stuff like that. maybe i am not breathing in and out right. I am getting frustrated.

I know i am not doing this the right way... Can anyone give me any pointers.

[Sweetpea]

Are you making sure to keep your back flat to the ground, even if it means that you have to restrict movement? As your abs get stronger, then you can have a greater range of motion, is what I've found. back curves alot so I have trouble keeping it down. Also, have you tried strenght training for your lower back?

[bodybuilder]

hi
i think u check the technique that u use for training yr abs , if it's the right one then u should see the docteur , i used to have problems on lower back after doing hack squat , or squat too .
good luck

[stevefrench]

I have lower back problems myself but have found that by stretching hamstrings before doing any kind of ab workout has helped out quite a bit.

[sf0713]

use a medicine/exersize ball. it helps eliminate back pain. i had the same problem with keeping back flat on the floor because butt kept lower back lifted up. so the ball works the best. and you can really feel the workout better.

[urabs6pack]

See whether tips at http://www.abssixpack.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; helps?

[Packard]

Leg raises put a lot of stress on the lower back. Stop doing them for a while and the pain will disappear.

Use alternate exercises for the lower abs. Hanging leg raises (from a pull up bar, or on a dipping station) will work the lower abs well and will not stress the lower back.

In theory if you strengthen your torso you should not have lower back issues with leg raises, but in practice I've seen it over and over again. Two or three days off from the leg raises should remedy the problem.

You can then try to do them again but in this case, place the palms of your hands under your hips to minimize the compression of the lower back. Sometimes this works, sometimes not. Hanging leg raises are always safe to do in regards to your lower back.

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc75lpEI ... r_embedded" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(You don't need to get the breast inplants like the model has to do this exercise. I really like the idea of setting the pull up bar under the basement steps. A good idea I think.)

[OlyWaMuscle]

I agree with Packard, and just have one question to add. Have you seen a physician for your lower back issues? If so, following Packard's suggestions would be the best for eliminating the pain.