Written by guest author N.P.Burggraaff

For a complete list of exercises with animated illustrations showing you how to do the correct form, download the free “Start Living Right” mobile app which can be found in your smart phone store.

If you are someone who suffers from lower back pain, you may feel really demotivated when it comes to doing ab exercises. After a few crunches, you experience the worst lower back pain ever and have to take a break. Sounds familiar? Well, don’t give up! I’ve gathered some great exercises that are very effective yet don’t put too much strain on your lower back.

1. Hanging knee raises

For this exercise you’ll need a chin up bar. Hang on the chin up bar with legs slightly bent in the knee (just don’t lock the knee) Now bring both legs up to a horizontal position and then slowly lower back to starting position. When you lower your legs back to starting position you’ll really feel that burn!

2. Figure 8

Stand with your legs just wider than shoulder width. Keep a straight back and bend over while picking up a kettlebell or dumbbell. Pass it from one hand to the other between your legs. Pass the kettlebell from the front to the back of your legs and receive it with the second hand from behind your legs. Pass it from one arm back to the other and repeat forming the shape of an eight.

3. Plank with a chair

Grab a chair for this exercise. Stand in front of the chair and grab the sides of the chair and walk backward enough so that you can make a plank position. Pull your shoulders down and tuck in your stomach. Keep the line diagonal and avoid letting your hips drop to the floor as this is what will put pressure on your lower back. To amp this up you can put your lower arms on the chair till you get an elbow plank and then turn your hips to the side and lift one arm straight in the air. The other elbow is still resting on the chair. Change positions to the other side.