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Stop Crunches! 3 Core Exercises That Actually Work

back pain core training exercises Sep 23, 2025

For decades, I've watched people struggle with back pain, and almost every time, someone tells them the same thing: "You need to strengthen your core. Do more crunches and sit-ups." But here's what I've learned after years of working with patients - this advice might actually be making things worse.

I used to think the same way. When I first started helping people with back pain, I'd recommend the standard core routine everyone knew. But I kept seeing the same frustrating pattern: people would work hard, do hundreds of crunches, and still come back with the same pain, sometimes even worse than before.

That's when I realized we've been thinking about core strength all wrong. Your core isn't just about getting a six-pack or doing as many sit-ups as possible. It's actually a complex system that most people don't fully understand, and when you train it incorrectly, you can end up adding stress to your spine instead of protecting it.

The problem with traditional core exercises runs deeper than most people realize. Every time you do a crunch or sit-up, you're repeatedly flexing your spine in a way that puts pressure on the discs in your lower back. If you're already dealing with back pain, this is the last thing you want to be doing. Even if you're not experiencing pain yet, this repetitive motion can set you up for problems down the road.

So what's the solution? I've discovered three specific exercises that completely change how you approach core training. Instead of teaching your muscles to bend your spine, these movements focus on something much more important - stability. Your core's real job is to keep your spine steady while your body moves through daily activities.

The first exercise I recommend might surprise you because it doesn't look like a typical core move at all. But when you do it correctly, you'll feel muscles activate that you probably didn't even know you had. The second targets a crucial area that most people completely ignore in their workouts, and the third ties everything together in a way that builds real functional strength.

Before you try any of these exercises though, there's one critical technique you need to learn first. I call it the foundation movement, and without it, the other exercises won't be nearly as effective. It's simple, but most people skip this step and wonder why they're not seeing results.

Watch the video to see exactly how to perform these three exercises and learn the foundation technique that makes all the difference. 

As always, Be Your Own Guarantee for your health and life.

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Strong Spine Resources:

๐Ÿ“– FREE miniclass to help improve your spinal health: https://drwohlfert.com/spinalhygiene/

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Related Videos and Topics:

Best Ab Exercise for a Strong Stable Spine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iEzZfYQgjg

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