Whenever i do abs workouts my neck and back hurt! I cannot do the damn thing and it is so annoying!?

Question

Whenever i do it on the floor it hurts because i am so skinny! Is it easier to do with a medicine ball?

What sort of surface are you meant to work out on because whenever i do it on the floor i hurt myself!

So frustrating!

Answer 1

When I was in the service, our method of working out the abs, which is the most popular is the sit up. You would be suprised how many people get it wrong!

since you are very skinny and your surface seems to be bothering you, first place down a mat that can cushion your back some. Lay flat on your back, put your hands on the back of your head and lock your fingers together in case your effort makes you slip. place your feet on the floor so your knees are close together, around a fist apart. any further will cause a balance issue, any closer and your point of gravity could cause more stress on the weight distribution. Seems like a lot to consider when starting situps but you are just starting out.

When you raise yourself, dont make the effort to try to get all the way to your knees. Since you arent used to this, do chest crunches, where you use the muscles in your stomach to tighten the area when you curl yourself up. If you feel any sort of tension in your back or neck, you need to release this focus and make that focus on your abdomen instead.

Do 10 curls in as one set, 5 times to start. Stop when you are tired, take about a 5min break, and then start again. Keep a constant focus on the tension in your abdomen. If you feel tension elsewhere, stop, readjust yourself, and try again.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

If your neck is hurting, then you are not doing them correctly and your neck is helping you lift your frame, make sure your elbows are out, and that there is a space the between your chin and your chest (imagining an orange between them always helped me), you'll know your doing them right because your really going to feel it in your abs, and wont be able to do that many. If your back bones are hurting because of your slight frame, then try a mat. A medicine ball is a great way to work your abs, but you need to know what your doing, if you get one, make sure it comes with an instructional video and watch it.

Good luck on the 6 pack

Answer 4

Medicine Balls are really hard. A swiss ball is used.. but crunches on those are great exercise.. therefore more difficult than on the floor.....

Firstly, use a yoga matt or a bedspread or something, and stretch your lower back before you start. (raise knees to chest and squeeze)

Secondly, don't put your hands behind your head (accidently puts pressure on your neck), hold your earlobes instead.

Thirdly, put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and hold it there (stops you from using the muscles in your neck to do the crunch)

Fourth, stretch on completion. (raise knees to chest and squeeze~ plus rotate knees to floor bth to the left side and then both to the other ~ while keeping both shoulders on floor)

Fifth... when your stomach muscles have had enough your back takes over the work. Don't let that happen. When your stomach muscles are burning from crunches... do laterals.

Answer 5

I read that traditional situps or crunches ar eno longer recommneded due to the strain on neck
From MSN fitness What exercises to ditch:

Sit-ups: Not only are sit-ups bad for your neck, but they're also one of the least-effective abdominal exercises you can do, according to a recent study at San Diego State University.

Safe Alternative: Bicycle Crunches: That same study found the bicycle maneuver works the abs and obliques 250 percent better than traditional crunches or sit-ups. Lie on your back with your feet up in the air, then bend your knees at a 90-degree angle. With your hands behind your ears, pump your legs back and forth while moving your armpits (not your elbows) toward the opposite knees.

Answer 6

Yeah. I agree.
Hardwood, linoleum, thin carpets, or concrete is just not a good surface to do sit ups on.

It is best to use a blanket if you don't have a workout pad.

I used to fold up the blanket off my bed. So it was as wide as my shoulders and so it was the entire length of my upper torso, "Head to pelvic bone."

My legs were slightly lower then so they gave me a little more anchor to keep me from lifting them up when I did the toe touch sit ups.

I used the beds foot bar to keep my feet down so I could do the sit ups and crunches with my hands finger interlaced behind my neck.

Answer 7

I think you are doing the exercise wrong.

Your hands are behind your head for stability only, so don't use your arms to pull your head.

For the pain in your back, pretend that there is an apple under your chin so that your chin does not touch your chest, then crunch up to the ceiling rather than to your feet.

And you should definitely do it on a soft surface or on an exercise mat.

Answer 8

lie down on your bed or put the couch cushions on the floor, but instead of putting your hands under your head put your elbows out and just touch your temples or cheeks. keep your elbows as flat and far back as you can and concentrate on breathing and not bringing the elbows together. You may not be able to come up as far but your not pulling on your neck either. You should only feel it where you want to feel it in the abs.

Answer 9

Concentrate more on lifting your legs rather than your body.

Sit upright on the edge of a chair with your hands gripping the seat for stability. Then try to bring your knees to your chest.

Answer 10

buy yourself a yoga mat you are pressing your spine against he hard floor or you can get an ab roller or try working your abs from a standing position