Hi everyone, i'd like to introduce myself

[bat__ninja]

howdy, my name is brandon and im new to BWC (joined yesterday):)
and i just wannted to introduce myself.
my fitness goals are simple; i wish to push as many boundries as possible and have fun at it.

im also a hardcore martial system and arts enthusiast and am willing to answer any questions i can about the combat arts.

my current question for the moment is how does one deal with lower back pain when performing high rep abdominal exercises?

[strawdog]

Hello Ninja,

You've left a reply to my intro, so I thought that I'd reply to your's :)

Regarding your questions, I'm receiving some coaching from a karate instructor, just the basics, I think that I'm too long in the tooth to take it up seriously :sad:

You mentioned low back pain from high rep abdominal work. As someone who had spent a few years rehabilitating a low back/pelvic injury, I can highly recommend Stuart McGill's approach to low back training/rehab, in particular if you can get a hold of his 'Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance' book. Basically, he hates spinal flexion exercises, such as 'crunches', and instead emphasises a progressive program of planks, press-ups, cable and kettelbell work with a focus on what he terms 'superstiffness' in the entire abdominal wall - not a 'draw-in' as is commonly advocated.

Have a look at his website for a brief overview of his concepts if you have the time.

http://www.backfitpro.com/articles/Enhancing%20back%20performance%20with%20super%20st iffness.pdf

Regards,

Mike.

[demarcoa]

Hi and welcome to the forum. For lower back pain, you might have an imbalance, strong core and weak posterior chain (lower back). This can be cured by doing torso raises, reverse leg lifts, light deadlifts and eventually supermans. Also back bridging will help some.

I'm also a martial arts enthusiast although I have not been a martial artist for some time :(

[greenfitness]

Hey welcome to the forum and everyone is correct. Strengthen the core and do work with bodyweight push ups, dips, pullups, planks, handstands and any bodyweight exercises. These are all going to work lots of muscles at once and build your core and your midsection as well. Along with this you will really start to strengthen you back. Just waintain good form without it you will make your back pain worse. Start reading through the articles and you will get a good understanding of what to start with. Bodyweightculture is a an awesome place and has many knowledgable people to get your questions answered.