I would like to ask a question about performing sit-ups and press-ups where the problem is long term back injuries.

Since i have started losing weight (approx 12kg so far) i have got to the stage where i can start to exercise with more variety and intensity, so, where at the start my only real exercise was walking i am now at the stage where jogging/running is just becoming do-able and where an outdoor based fitness trail with weights and exercise stations (which i am building) is forming a lerge part of my weekly workout cycle.

I do have a problem though with 2 things that i would really like to do and which seem to form the core of "body" rather than "machine" workouts ie sit-ups and press-ups–and that problem is basically pain. I can get through about 20 sit-ups but proper floor based press-ups cause immediate pain.

The risk is that a severe bout of back pain would put me out of training (even walking and working) for days–and i cant go there.

So…is there a way of working up to the strength or core stability that would allow me to do "proper" sits and presses. ??

Sean–many thanks.

I have been working with a personal trainer now for just over a month, its been the single most positive and enjoyable experience of physical training that i have ever experienced and i am constantly learning new stuff.

My trainer (emily) does specifically work in the rehab world and seems to completely grasp the long term problems i am working with.

One major feature though is that if i train it is more likely that i will improve the long term situation and significantly reduce the episodes of debilitating back pain–the alternative is a slippery slope that would simply be to accept a situation which by inactivity would only get worse.

I had noticed that we werent doing any of the "traditional" things like press-ups and conventional sit-ups in our work out and according to my trainer that is because they are exercises that will most commonly cause low back problems.

What we do though is lots of exercises that would seem to involve core stability–one positive aspect of not working on gym machines is that just about everything we do has to involve bracing or actively using the core–we are then adding specific core exercises as well.

As i go into this i find that it is more and more interesting to learn about all the different aspects of training–and then trying to apply that learning into actual practice.

I had no idea of the vital importance of core stability–and this is probably the single most important thing to come out of the "skills and learning" aspect of being totally absorbed by my new training commitment.

Thanks…

Stevebn