[miss scarlett]

hey y'all-

i'm wondering if anyone knows of any good excercises to strengthen the lower back muscles... i sprained mine a few years ago, and it hasn't been the same since, mainly due to overcompensating the injury for so long... any suggestions to get the muscles strong again??? i know a couple of moves on the stability ball, but am looking for more to vary the workout...

i'm tired of not being able to do things bc of the back pain!!!

any suggestions will be much appreciated!!!

[flxthct107]

Have you tried pilates? I know having a strong core really helps support the back.

[stef]

If you like classes try pilates, stretching and strengthening yoga, rather than the power yoga currently in vogue or find a core stability class where you think the teacher is talking sense - your logic button is as good a test of good teaching as anything else!

But the balls are a really good way to work this out - I have a book by (Swiss Ball for strength, tone and posture by Maureen Flett) that I would always recommend. Good pictures, good explanations and no blinding with science. Just pick and choose your way through the 3 levels of workout she offers.

I am an instructor with a very bad back and have lots of overweight sedentary clients with bad knees, backs, elbows etc. All of us love the ball exercises done this way!