Back pain with Ab exercises

i never feel my abs being targeted when i'm doing ab exercises. I just do them and trust they are firing up and getting worked. Don't do exercises that hurt your back , there are a zillion ab exercises to choose from. pick ones that are easier on your back.

What exercises are you doing? Lower back pain is usually from improper form.

Then don't do your ab workout.

MissingLink240 wrote: »

I don't really want help from rude people thank you.

Three responders ask you what exercises you are doing. Two of them give helpful advice, one has not read your post properly, or is not convinced that your form is proper, which is indeed a tiny bit of a dick move.

You have chosen to a) not respond to the two helpful inquiries, b) not respond to the OTHER two helpful responses that didn't ask what you're doing but are trying to be helpful.

I would recommend you answer the question: what exercises are you doing?

And I second the recommendation to go to a doctor or personal trainer, if you have the access and means.

I'll take "rude people's" advice. I get a sore lower back from doing sit-ups and crunches. I don't know if my form is poor. What other core exercises can I do?

What abs exercise are you doing? Help us help you.

There is a huge list of potential exercises. Off the top of my head:
Abs don't move: Planks, weighted planks, side planks, abs wheel rollouts
Abs move: crunches, sit ups, incline sit up, leg raises (hanging or lying down), captain chair, cable crunches

Try the exercises where the abs are stationary - this forces you to engage the core instead of potentially carrying it over to other parts of your body like the lower back. This usually happens when you don't engage the abs (due to weakness or inexperience) and the stronger body parts pick up the slack.

My recommendation is planks to start - forces you to engage your abs with (hopefully) minimal back issues. IF you don't feel any back pain, put a 25lbs plate on your back do 3 sets of 30 to 60 seconds - you WILL feel it in your abs, and if you don't, you will feel it where you are actually engaging the muscles.

And lastly, be nice to the people online. Everyone is trying to help you and I have not read a single rude comment.

Cheers

MissingLink240 wrote: »

Anytime I do my ab workout my lower back hurts and I can't really feel my abs being targeted. I've made sure I have proper form, so I don't really know what to do

Make sure touch don't have a back peoblem. I was having the same problem and my doc discovered a herniated disc. I wear a back support to exercise and only do the exercises she gave me that can be safely done according to where my back is injured.

jacksonpt wrote: »

Following along on the off chance that this thread goes anywhere. I too have lower back issues that are bothered by things like hanging leg raises and ab roll-outs. Crunches don't bother me.

I'm assuming it's a muscle imbalance that I'm trying to correct with a more well-rounded core workout and higher volume/lower weight.

I am thinking you may have too much swing to the hanging leg raises. If that is the case I would concentrate on no swing. Let the abs do the lifting.

I would try doing your Ab work at the beginning of your work out. Lower back pain when doing ab work usually means your overworking your abs. i would also build up your lower back with Low back extensions.