Abdominal exercises that are easy on my back?

I have the same problem! I was told doing planks is good for your abs. My cousin is a trainer and is going to start helping me workout in a few weeks. I'll let you know what I find out.

I'd be interested to know too! My back is so screwed up from a car accident a few years ago... Most things like crunches kill my back

Look into doing stomach vacuums

I have low back problems too. Interested to hear what you find out.

Can you do standing ab work? There's a whole standing ab section in 6 Week Six Pack.

Farmer's walks with load on one side are great for the core, all variations of plank and side plank, mountain climbers, cable chops, Palof press

I am in the same boat, I like the alternatives already and am looking forward to hearing more

Roman chair leg raises

Hi everyone I'm new and I'm having trouble with my back. I can't lie flat on it on the floor for very long if at all. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas to tone my stomach with a bad back? Thanks!

do you belong to a gym? I go to the local Y and they have a "back extension" machine that I totally love. You sit on a seat kinda bent over at the waist and merely lean back. I went from only being able to do 30# to being able to do 90# in about 4 months. They also have a seated crunch machine--It looks like an "ab roller" stuck to a chair. I never have issues with either machine, despite the fact that I had a back/hip injury back in August ( my hips were out of alignment MAJORLY) that required 5 weeks of chiropractic adjustments just to handle daily life without major pain.

Let me start with the basic. You cannot spot reduce or tone. You just can't. As much as you want to create sleek, sexy abs...you first need to work on burning the layer(s) of fat covering your ab muscle. you could do a thousand sit-ups or 10 minutes of a plank and it won't matter until the fat is burned. The best way to do that is in the kitchen...what you eat/drink. As far as exercises that will help, ab/core exercises are not the place to start because they burn so few calories (and the effects of any ab toning you might be doing won't be evident until you burn the fat covering the muscles). sooooo....I recommend compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, med ball slams, burpees (which might be tough on the lower back if you aren't careful), etc. ... as those both burn more calories and engage/strengthen the core muscles.

once you get to the point where you have burned enough fat that you may be able to see your ab muscles....at that time, you can do a whole bunch of fun exercises that don't have your back on the ground. There's the full plank, side plank, stability ball roll out, jack knives, twist with medicine ball, etc.

However, if your back is out of whack, you may want to consult with your physician to find out what you are physically able to do.

Try standing ab workouts. These also did wonders for my balance as well:
http://www.fitsugar.com/Minka-Kelly-Workout-Routine-Gunnar-Peterson-19089151
http://www.self.com/flat-abs-guide/on-your-feet-ab-firmers-slideshow#slide=1

These helped me with my planks, and all the other ab moves as well. Sounds crazy, but they totally work. Added bonus, I don't like getting on the floor at the gym. So this way I can do some core work, and not have to tough the sketchy gym floor. Or the stability balls.

I'll be a physio after I pass my boards, but I guess even if I dont pass i'll still have my doctorate...

Bend your knees when you're lying on the floor...it helps! Also look up transversus abdominus exercises. It targets the lower abs that help support your back...

All above exercises have been good suggestions as well
if your back pain persists go see a physio!

I lay on my back on my bed, body on the bed to my butt, legs hanging off the edge, almost touching the floor, and do the old leg pull ups that way. Doesn't hurt my back and boy is it a workout : ))

I definitely agree with the idea that you work with your physician to determine not only the cause of your lower back condition (muscular, skeletal, etc.), but also what you're currently capable of doing.

That being said, I also agree with planks as an exercise that targets the abdominals without too much strain on your back. Just make sure that you don't bend at the waist while doing so- not only will this take the stress off of your abs, it will put it on your lower back, making the exercise in your case doubly ineffective.

Also, the swiss ball is a great alternative to the floor crunch, but its effectiveness is high because it has a greater range of motion, particularly at the bottom of the movement. You get a greater stretch of the abdominals, but you also engage the muscles in your lower back, which, depending on your condition could be cause for concern.