Exercises to Avoid If You Have Back ProblemsExercises To Avoid If You Have Back Problems

Any type of exercise can hurt you and cause pain when you’re doing it wrong, but some types of exercise are particularly bad for your back, even if they seem very common and completely benign.

Learn how to avoid exercises that hurt your back, so you’ll minimize any pain that you’re experiencing, and prevent future problems and pain. Whether you’ve experienced back pain or just want to make sure that you won’t, here are the exercises to avoid.

Toe Touches

Part of many aerobic exercise routines, toe touches can actually be very bad for your lower back, especially if you do them without stretching first. Touching your toes while keeping your feel straight put a lot of pressure on your spine, and they can also contribute to overstretching your ham strings and other muscles. If you experience severe pain that lasts more than a few minutes after touching your toes, you should stop exercising and see a doctor.

Sit-Ups

While they’re technically useful for core muscles, sit-ups are also one of the exercises that hurt your back. If you use your hips while doing sit-ups, you’re putting pressure on your spinal discs. Crunches can also contribute to lower back pain. Planks can be a lot better for your abdominal muscles, while also putting less pressure on your back.

Leg Lifts