Need to loose weight, what exercise can I do with a bad back??

[notsurewhyohwhy]

I have lower back problems and I don't want to aggravate it!

What exercise is best? I am thinking yoga. Pilates and swimming?

I tired couch to 5k a little before will that make it worse?

I find Pilates good - you need an instructor that does alternative options if you can't do something - and I always go on the basis that if it hurts I immediately stop and do something else (ie hurt back issue rather than hurt because you're working muscles that are flabby).

Swimming I have to be careful with breast stroke and make sure that I don't swim along with my fact sticking up out of the water as that tends to make things worse.

thank you for the message, so do you think pilates is very useful? I always feel like i'm not getting much of a workout with pilates, not like with a aerobic type class.

My Dad yup, don't laugh took up Pilates to strengthen his back after a leg injury - his physio recommended it. He's found it really helpful. You need to look for low impact activity - so Pilates or Yoga, water based would be good too. Swimming or water aerobics. Like *mistle^ says, if you're going to a class it's important to tell them about your back pain.

I have struggled with a rubbish lower back for about a year now. I'm still walk/running back into running.

I did Reformer Pilates for 5 months (once a week on recommendation of physio), got a personal trainer who focused on my weak areas that were aggravating the lower back (core, glutes particularly) - although you could that yourself, and saw a physio/osteo every fortnight. Sorry if that sounds extreme but everytime I tried to get into exercise I just aggravated it back to square one again. It meant cutting back my cardio for a while as I def couldn't run, and cycling and rowing aggravated it.

If you really want a workout, try burpees, pressups, box jumps etc, tuck jumps if your back can handle it.

I think any professional would agree that for an injured lower back building up the muscles is crucial. Core core core (plank, side plank etc), glutes (one legged squats are good, and squats/lunges etc).

Yoga can be good - although when I was at my worst the physio told me my back wasn't ready for the back bends etc involved. I can now though, so maybe give it a try and see how it feels.

I really think that if can afford it, it's worth seeing someone to give you a diagnosis (if you haven't already) and an exercise programme.

Good luck.

Agree with beaten. I have an ongoing struggle with a subluxating sacro-iliac joint and related piriformis spasm which is aggravated by running.

I am working on my core, quad and glute strength through weight training, and have reduced my running to one run per week and I also do spin and circuits - all with the intention of improving my lower body strength.

I have regular deep tissue massage and manipulation with the osteopath and I DO NOT swim - nothing worse for a bad back IMO.

Our pilates teacher has us all in a sweat after a 45mins class - its completely different to cardio of course - but can still be a very good work out.