I injured my back in a car accident this summer and am starting to get a gut from lack of excercise. What excercises can I do that will target my abs and not cause further injury to my lower back?
2007-12-04 04:55:48 · 5 answers · asked by Max 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Try Yoga, it will work all muscle groups without putting strain on any of them, you will become more flexible and stronger, it will strengthen your back muscles. Try it, it works.
2007-12-04 05:00:22 · answer #1 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First consult your doctor and ask him what movements you should avoid.
Next get a stability ball. It's a great way to work your abs without putting a great deal of stress on the lower back. The ball will contour to your body shape and allow you lower back to go through a natural range of motion.
AVOID Fixed abdominal machines like the ones at the gym and like the ab rockers.. these machine will not adapt to your nature curvature and could re-injure your back. The same thing applies to lower back machine.
Lastly, make sure you stretch your hamstrings... many times people get sympathic lower back pain from tight hamstrings. Stretch your hamstrings after leg workouts and after abdominal workouts.
Stability Ball Ab Exercises below - Also a link to selecting the right size. If get the wrong size ball you could injure yourself or cheat yourself out of a good workout.
Good Luck
p.s. Ab exercises don't reduce your gut only physical activity over time and good nutrition can fix that.
2007-12-04 13:07:27 · answer #2 · answered by tempowht 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to strengthen up both areas. muscle imbalances are the single leading cause of lower back injury. too many people focus on the abs and perform no lower back strengthening exercise, this creates a weak link in the lower lumbar region
ab exercises aren't going to help your gut, reducing body fat is a function of the diet not of exercise.
2007-12-04 13:05:01 · answer #3 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your abs and your back work togeather to keep you body in balance, I would doubt there is an exercise that effectively works your abs without putting any tension on your back. At least I can't think of any.
2007-12-04 12:59:53 · answer #4 · answered by Nate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a number of stomach exercises to help with your back. cat stretches where you pull in your stomach and hold it, crunches for top, bottom and side abs are great. Contact a physio therapist for help.
2007-12-04 12:59:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋