crunches/lower back pain

[woodpecker]

I'm starting to get lower back pain during my crunches (I use a pilates ball and cross my arms over my chest). Any reason why my lower back starts to hurt? Any advice on how to make it stop? Is my lower back just that weak?

I get the same pain no matter how I do the crunches (ie. on floor, decline, etc)

Thanks in advance,

[MAURER]

my advice would be to give it a few days rest and start doing them on a flat surface or a decline bench. whatever you are doing with the pilates ball, its probably screwing with your form and putting undue stress on your back. also, work out your lower back so that it develops along with the front of your core, or else you will be more prone to injury. and last, make sure you stretch, an inflexible back causes all sorts of problems.

[bodyshop20]

Now i used to get that pain with incline sit ups so i switched to floor crunchies and rope ab pulls, that sorted me out, so i think the ball is like Maurer said "screwing with yr form"
Rest lower back until it heals then try floor only crunch.

[LiftGirl]

If you are doing ab work, and not any lower back work to balance it, then you're lower back is likely very weak.

[woodpecker]

Any lower back recommendations?

Thanks to all whom have replied.

Do ab plank holds and skip all that crunching and neck bending. The plank hits it all.

[bodyshop20]

Reverse roman chair
Good mornings
Dead lift
Cable pulls to waist

[NumberSixx]

Originally Posted by pierini

Do ab plank holds and skip all that crunching and neck bending. The plank hits it all.

could you please describe what is ab plank is, first I am hearing about that.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by NumberSixx

could you please describe what is ab plank is, first I am hearing about that.

I tell you how to do a plank, you do a pushup, hold yourself in the air, but instead of with hands on ground, rest on your forearms, so that your only touching the ends of your feet and forearms. You should have very straight legs and back while doing this, just like a pushup.

All you do is hold that position. that is a plank. You can hold it for how long you want, try also flexing your abs and obliques and lats while doing this. makes a good addition to an ab workout.

[Klide]

http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises_10.htm

[.V.]

I cannot answer you about the ball because I do not do my crunches that way. Everyone has given you useful answers based on their own experiences. I will do the same. Regular crunches kill my lower back so I just do kneeling cable crunches. Using good form, they work really well for me and most importantly they DO NOT HURT me.

Good luck finding the answer that works best for you. Try resting for a bit then try some of the different options suggested and see what's best for you.

[trainerty]

Originally Posted by pierini

Do ab plank holds and skip all that crunching and neck bending. The plank hits it all.

Nice tip. I am a little surprised in your exercise choice coming from a CF guy.

Hi Ty,

I think you are confusing me with your twin brother. I have never been a CF guy, although I have cherry-picked and done about a dozen CF WODs in my time. I have been a high-volume bodyweight-only fitness dude in the past, but now I am having fun doing the Oly lifts, still trying to run, explosive stuff and alot of sets of single reps.

These bones are getting old!

[trainerty]

HAHAHA-

My mistake... I see you speaking the CF language and took you as a CF guy (quacks like a duck...it's a duck). I'll have to keep a closer eye on your journal