​7 Ab Strengthening Moves You Can Perform With Back Pain

In the summertime, six-pack abs are just as desirable as a cold six-pack of brews. But if you’re one of the 80 to 90 percent of Americans affected by back pain at some point in their life, crushing ab workouts is much more difficult than crushing Bud Heavies. Still, strengthening your core is absolutely critical, not just for day-to-day tasks and overall body stability, but also to help treat your annoying back pain.

“A strong core is critical in alleviating back issues,” says Dan Giordano, DPT, CSCS, and cofounder of Bespoke Treatments in New York City. “And while working out your abs may not feel stellar, there are exercises you can do to shape up without the wince.”

Here, Giordano shares seven ab exercises you can do if you struggle from lower back pain. The best part? When done together (do two sets of the below moves, resting 30 seconds between each), you’re tackling your entire core from the transverse abdominis to accessory muscles. (For more ways to carve your core, check out our new Anarchy Abs workout.)