Can't do crunches because of back pain - what are my options?

[User Name]

every time i do crunches, after 12 or so reps my back starts really hurting, think this is cause of a mild scholiosis i have, i'm able to do decline bench sit-ups without pain and...the exercise where ur suspended and u lift ur legs (forget what u call it)

is this enough exercises for my abs, or is there anything else i should try?

[bigpump23]

trying doing them with your legs straight instead of bent

[conzani]

every time i do crunches, after 12 or so reps my back starts really hurting, think this is cause of a mild scholiosis i have, i'm able to do decline bench sit-ups without pain and...the exercise where ur suspended and u lift ur legs (forget what u call it)

is this enough exercises for my abs, or is there anything else i should try?

To make crunches easier on the back you could try tightening the abs to place more emphasise on abs. The exercise you are thinking of is hanging leg raises. If crunches negatively effect you back try focasing on core strenghtening lifts such as squats, deadlifts, and standing exercises such as standing military press (providing your back is ok and strong enough).

[4amWorkouts]

The declin stit-ups and hanging leg lifts are hitting your upper and lower abs, so crunches aren't going to add much more. You may try putting a rolled-up towel in the small of your back...

[BernieD]

get a swiss ball. Those things are great for your back, and easy to crunches on

[sqeeze hard]

Dude, do you know that when you train a muscle you have to train the opposing one(s)? My coach at the gym told me "one set of crunches, one set of hyperextensions". I don't have a strong lower back and I can only do hyperextensions. Look at those guys who train thei biceps twice a week and forget all about the triceps and then they complain of elbow pain. Or those guys who bench so much and do 2-3 easy back sets and then accuse shoulder pain. Injury will arise when opposing muscles cannot balance strenght, when one is way stronger than another.
So with the abs - work on the lower back. Do abs and lowerback in a superset, like I do. Finish off with a set of abs and continue with a set of hyperextensions. Not only will this strenghten your midsection, but will also put an end to any pain related this problem.

[bigpump23]

trying doing them with your legs straight instead of bent

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[icepack]

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when doing them straight it causes more damage dude, as the plates in your lower back are flat and when rising up they over lap and rub causing moe pain.

what i would suggest is taking olive oil or glucosamine, do hyperextensions, to try to rebalance out your core.

[bigpump23]

when doing them straight it causes more damage dude, as the plates in your lower back are flat and when rising up they over lap and rub causing moe pain.

what i would suggest is taking olive oil or glucosamine, do hyperextensions, to try to rebalance out your core.

not at all actually, therapists do them with clients with back pain all the time.

[scrappy2]

when doing them straight it causes more damage dude, as the plates in your lower back are flat and when rising up they over lap and rub causing moe pain.

what i would suggest is taking olive oil or glucosamine, do hyperextensions, to try to rebalance out your core.

If that were true any flexion of your uppr and lower body would cause that. Try reading some basics in physiology and kinesiology.

[BernieD]

when doing them straight it causes more damage dude, as the plates in your lower back are flat and when rising up they over lap and rub causing moe pain.

what i would suggest is taking olive oil or glucosamine, do hyperextensions, to try to rebalance out your core.

I agree with you, having the legs straight when doing leg raises stresses your lower back a lot more...you don't really know it until you have back problems, which I've had for some time now, so I know what it's like. I have strong abs, but certain exercises still kill my back, like V-situps, and hanging knee raises, my back doesn't like either. Some of those put too much stress on the back. Do bicycles, those are good for the lower abs and don't strain the back much. But if you go to a gym, definitely use their swiss ball, your back will thank you for it