ab training and lower back pain.

[Goldprospector]

It seems like I try to arch my back too much while doing crunches...I feel as if I am lifting my whole back off of the mat instead of rolling up. It is really killing my lower back.
My question is, are any of the ab gadjets that are out, really worth a damn?

 

[Cynical Simian]

Not really, IMO, unless you count a decline bench as a "ab gadget". You could try Swiss ball crunches or static holds, which might be a bit easier on your back, but the only real solution is to change your form on crunches or work on your core/back, a lack of strength in which might be why you're arching.

 

[tay1506]

u dont even have to do crunches as a matter of fact unlease weighted there not as good as most ab exercises work ur abs like u would any other muscle thats when u make more gains. I like doing rotary torso with a medicine ball or just weights seems to work the abs and obliques the best.

 

[Extra_Strong]

Does it feel like your lower back is stretching or what??

 

[LiftingDukkha]

Do you do Reverse Crunches -- that is, crunch-like Leg Lifts? I do a set of regular crunches, then a set of Reverse Crunches, and then I usually feel a bit of a burn in my abs. But on the Leg Lift Crunches I tuck my hands under my lowback just above the butt, so the back is arched; and I fold my legs over each other, trying to focus on not using hips to raise the legs. I don't know if this really addresses your main question about regular crunches, but I do both regular & reverse crunches and these seem to help minimize any lowback pain I have at the time.

As to the question about ab gadgets, I actually think the 6 Second Abs thing actually can work. It has handles on 2 ends, one end you grab with hands, the other end rests on your lap. It has resistance bands in the middle which stretch as you bend over & press the handle ends closer together, so the resistance grows stronger the further you contract. I have one, and it seems fairly effective, but I haven't gotten around to using it very often. But I think I should.

Good luck.

 

[lavi]

Ive been told from a few knowledgeable sources (elitefts q+a, chiro, physical therapist) that lower back pain on situps is due to weak abs/hip flexors.

 

[AhMadKooL]

when you do ab crunches your lower back should be touching the ground; only your shoulders and neck should be lifted.

if that doesn't work try using the medicine ball.

Also another excercise for strengthening the abs is using the cable from the top with a rope attached to it. You do the crunches while kneeling and you pull your head to the floor.

 

[bignate73]

stretch your lower back

focus on half situps that you roll up and roll back down, do them with no foot bracing

begin doing some lower back work as well, if its weak the pull from ab work can make you feel it.

leg lifts with your hands under your hips are for your hip flexors, making them stronger will only make your situation worse. if you are doing situps and you feel like your back is flat or arched, you are relying primarily on your hip flexors. making them stronger takes you further from getting rid of this problem.