Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group exercise question

Does anyone know of an abdominal muscle training exercie that is especially gentle on the low back?

I've used giant gym balls, ab curlers, multiple differing positions and techniques, but tonight my "trainer" (no, I don't have a personal trainer, just a member of staff at my local gym who sets my program) said to me, "We've tried everything I know of for abs, and all of them hurt your back, so my best advice to you is just don't do abdominal exercises"

Help anyone?

  Loz

if your neck won't stretch to see the sky,
be sure to stop and smell the flowers

Loz, what you need is Pilates!!! It's GREAT, just ask Kat

It strengthens your core muscles, so is great for the spine, and feels bloomin' marvellous to boot!! It really does energise.

(Reminds me, must do it some more! )

Take care,

Jan

Do you have access to a heated swimming pool? That's the only way I can do crunches or work on my abs, while floating in water.

Cheryl

Dogs love it when you leave your clothes on the floor

Golf! I've found that since I have pretty much stopped playing, not only have I gained weight but have had my 6-pack turn into a keg. Get back on the links or do as I'm doing now...swing at home as often as you can. I do over 1,000 practice swings a day. I have lost some of the added weight...I hope my game has improved as well:)

Take care,

Pete

Hi Loz...if you find that exercise..please let ME know as well!!!
I used to do a tremendous amount of crunches and side crunches to keep my abs in shape..since AS a year and a half ago....I can hardly tolerate them at all...they tone my abs up super quick..but it will kill my back , so I've just had to pick up walking..but it doesnt do much for my tummy....

Take care..and good luck....

Toodles!
Angie

Hi Loz. when I asked this question, my "trainer" (same type of guy as you've got) showed me this exercise:
Lie on your back with your legs bent. Hold something like the bottom of a couch, or lie on a weight bench holding onto the weight bar (for balance). SLOWLY pull your knees up as close to your chin as you can, HOLD IT and SLOWLY bring your legs down (knees still bent) to where your feet touch the floor.
Loz, my lower back is fine, so I'm not sure how this one will work for you (assuming you haven't already tried it!)
Good luck!
Darla

"Starting today, your kindness will lead you to success" from a recent fortune cookie

Hi Loz!
Cute pic!!
I sometimes try this for abs:
Lay face down on floor, or on bed if you can't get to the floor.
Lift your body onto forearms and toes...keep everything else straight inbetween, and tighten abs, and BREATH!!
Hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times with a minute inbetween.
I wish I could draw this out, as I'm not sure I'm making sense???
If done correctly, your abs and "core" abs will be strengthened.
Now if only I could encourage myself to get back at it...LOL!
Hope this helps, and hope others have other proven things to do as well.
Laura

I'll pose this question to my kinesiologist when I see her again Thursday morning and see what she comes up with.........

Doug

Buster & Alisha taking a break

Hi Loz,

I think this exercise is simliar to Laura's....

Get down on all fours, and make your back flat as poss, 'as if it were a table top'

Breathe OUT as you draw in your abs as far as you can, hold for 10 seconds and Breathe IN as you relax. Repeat as necessary

My lower back is not too much of a problem for me these days, since I built up my lower abs.

Good luck

A.

Actually walking does work just about every muscle in the body. When you're walking stand up very straight and tighten the abs, sort of like isometrics. Or find a body of water (pool, river, etc.) to get into, preferably a very warm one, and do crunches in the water by holding onto a "noodle" or the side of the pool and slowly brining your knees up towards your chest, using your ab muscles, not your legs. The buoyancy of the water takes the strain off your back.

Cheryl

Dogs love it when you leave your clothes on the floor