Crunch question.

[PaperAirPlanes]

Okay,
In December 2008 [on my birthday no less, go figure] SOMEHOW I pulled a major muscle in my lower back and it took an entire year to just get the general pain to go away. Well, through walking and such, I've strenghed it so that general sitting doesn't affect it as much and that I can actually lean forward and such without being in pain later. I thought I made some good progress!

Now, today, I went to the gym. And the gym owner was going through everything with me and had me do crunches on a stablity ball [the big colored ball thats used for a lotta uses]. Well, it kinda hurt my lower back to do them. But now that I'm home and time has passed, my lower back hurts like a bitch.

My question is,

should I NOT be doing this sorta exercise or will my lower back hurt regardless for awhile until it's used to it?

[I know this might fall under a "ask a doctor" question, BUT, as far as exercise goes I'd like to know the view point from someone, like Steve or something that is schooled in training and such!]

 

[Doc Bunkum]

No, your lower back shouldn't hurt. Period.

This is one thing that doesn't have anything to do with being macho.

Have you tried crunches with your back flat on the floor?

Does it hurt in that position?

Or knees to chest hanging from a chinning bar?

 

[PaperAirPlanes]

No, your lower back shouldn't hurt. Period.

This is one thing that doesn't have anything to do with being macho.

Have you tried crunches with your back flat on the floor?

Does it hurt in that position?

Or knees to chest hanging from a chinning bar?

On the floor, it doesn't hurt quite as much.
Even on my bed, it doesn't hurt quite as much.
But the damned ball, my God, I didn't expect it to hurt that bad. Yet they [by "they" I mean different people I've encountered] say it's one of the best ways using the ball.
I even told her about the lower back issue. =/

I think I might skip it altogether and do them at home.

 

[Doc Bunkum]

My back isn't in the best of shape either, PAP.

One thing I've learned, the lower back has to be fully supported to take the pressure off it.

That means flat on the surface.

The medicine ball or stablity ball or whatever they call it doesn't fit that bill.

The bed is too soft and doesn't support it fully either.

Flat on the floor, fingers interlocked behind head, elbows in, bring knees and elbows together.

Only safe way to do it.

Or same position with feet raised on a bench and just crunch.

If it hurts, don't do it. There are other ways to target the abs.