Bicycle Crunch Hurts Back

Most of us sit for all or part of the day placing the hamstrings and hip flexors in a shortened position which can lead to low back pain or just a general sense of tightness.

Bicycle crunch hurts back. Physiologists personal trainers and physical therapists are quickly moving away from the traditional crunch as an ab exercise as there s a strong association between the move and back problems such as herniated discs. I am able to do the other moves without back pain. This makes bicycle crunches a bit harder than standard ab crunches. This will protect the lumbar spine.

Years ago i could do bicycle crunches so i think i m leaning toward my core being so weak. Back in 2001 the american council on exercise actually deemed the bicycle crunch the no. Bicycle crunches also known as air bike crunches or criss cross exercise are one of the best abs exercises this exercise is proven to be 248 more effective than a regular crunches. The perfect form in a bicycle crunch the imprint of your spine is so important during this move says hollie.

The bicycle targets the rectus abdominals and the obliques. A modified sit up can help address your neck pain while a few alternative exercises can get you the results you want in your core without risking your spine. Plant your feet on the floor before you perform the bicycle crunch. We do a variety of crunches but the bicycle crunches hurt my back the most and i cannot keep up with the class.

Experiencing back pain while doing crunches could be a precursor to a serious injury. No one should allow the lower back to arch. What really blows my mind though is when people who have been in a seated position all day long head to the gym where they perform seated military presses seated lat pulldowns and abdominal exercises with the knees up. Also the rectus abdominals can be worked out with the basic crunch the vertical crunch the reverse crunch and the full vertical crunch and when at a low enough body fat percentage 10 12 for males 15 18 for females the individual parts of the muscle become visible.

If you neck hurts after sit ups or crunches is a good indicator that it s time to change your ab workout routine. Then lean back so your lower back is supported by the domed part of the ball. Do the bicycle crunch on a half dome balance ball for an intense stretch. Stop the exercise if you feel any pain especially in your lower back.

I take some classes at my local ymca and at the end there is ab work. Thanks for your input. Place the flat side of the half dome ball on the floor and sit on it.