Why do I have spine pain when I do crunches?

Question

I'm 14, and I do around 100 crunches every other day with other exercises. It's not my whole back, just like one bone near my tailbone, but in my spine. It may be because I do the crunches on a hardwood floor without a mat, but I'm not sure. I know I'm doing them correctly, 'cause my back doesn't really lift off the ground. The rest of my back is fine, it's just that one part. If I put my hand under the hurting bone and do the crunch, it's fine, but obviously that messes up the exercise. How can I eliminate this problem?

Answer 1

Eliminate the problem by doing your crunches on a mat or towel. This happens to me. Since it is in your lower back and not your upper back, it's not you doing the exercise wrong. This happens to me sometimes, especially when I'm wearing some kind of pants with a belt (had to do it in the Marine Corps).

However, you will find MUCH better results by ditching crunches altogether and doing full sit-ups, as well as a variety of other things, like oblique exercises, planks, bicycle crunches, leg lifts, V sit-ups, and much more. There are over 100 different ways to exercise your abs, don't limit yourself to the most inefficient way (crunches). These also keep you from being on the floor like that.

Don't forget lower back exercises...gotta work your whole core!

EDIT: As for what Katie said, if you're doing them right, there's no reason you can't do 100 crunches a night. h**l, I do SETS of 100.

Answer 2

you need to consult your doctor RIGHT AWAY... I think you might have some injury since its one isolated place that's hurting... and crunches on hardwood floors??? come on that's just straight up not good for you... crunches are very very tough on your back, and if it's hurting you should stop IMMEDIATELY and go and talk to a doctor... what you described doesn't sound right... don't get injured like that at 14...

Answer 3

Does your back stay straight the entire time?

Also, 100 crunchs is not needed, do 3 sets of 15 MAX per day.  otherwise you can cause hernias or someting, and if your not exhausting after that many, you are not doing them properlly, no mattter how strong your abs are.

Answer 4

Your back hurts because you're putting too much pressure on it by doing the crunches. This is typical for most people. What you should do it lay at an angle, which makes it easier for you to lift yourself up, thus, no back pain.

Disclaimer: I don't recommend any diet to you or anyone, but I just wanted to share my experience. You should talk to your nutritionist/doctor before making any drastic changes to your body.

To tone my abs, I do 200 crunches (I lay on my Total Gym at an incline, so it's VERY easy and no back strain!); they are much easier than sit-ups. ^_^ Lastly, I do 100 of those "standing-up" crunches. I don't know what to call them, but I saw it on Hip-Hop Abs. You can see a sample of it here: http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness...

The lay down crunches and the standing up crunches that I do gave me the flat stomach I have now. ^____^ Very happy with the results. You can do as many as your body can tolerate for ONE day and feel your stomach flatter immediately afterwards (at least for me)! It's incredible!

If you do not have gym equipment, just jumping around and running place for 15-30 minutes will get you your cardio workout. Eat yogurt, fruits, and other health foods. Drink tons of water and your daily dosage of milk. ^_^

Good luck! :D