Continuing with CORE EXERCISES: ONTO THE BACK!!!

Lower Back Exercises... Why are they important?????
.....for stability, strength and injury prevention, of course!!   : )  .....AND it looks mighty nice (and sexy) to have a strong, toned and lean back!

The United States has reached epidemic levels of lower back injuries.  The key to preventing lower back injury and pain, whether work-related or not, is physical conditioning. "Getting into shape" involves the overall conditioning of the body, focusing on the "core" (those muscles supporting the spine and the abdominal muscles that stabilize the spine) as well as the cardiovascular system. Aerobic exercise plus the exercising of the core muscles are critical for developing healthy and pain-free backs.

I am listing some easy to accomplish exercises that you can do at home... so when you watch TV or have nothing much to do, you can remind yourself that it is a good time to work those muscles!!!

*** ALL EXERCISES THAT I AM PROVIDING FOR YOU WILL KEEP YOUR SPINE IN ALIGNMENT AND BEAR NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT ON THE SPINE ITSELF... ***

1. QUADRIPED LOWER BACK EXTENSIONS:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WZGAIBhaPs  (she provides good tips on form in this video...  very important exercise for strengthening the lower back as well as creating stabilization through the core!)
2. LOWER BACK EXTENSIONS (ON THE FLOOR):   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw9YuQTTc58
3. PLANKS WITH A TWIST FOR CORE/LOWER BACK STRENGTH:  http://blog.onemilerunner.com/2009/06/06/planks-will-make-your-core-stonger-and-not-hurt-your-lower-back.aspx
4.  USING A STABILITY BALL:  http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exercises.com/low-back-exercises.html

If you have any questions at all.. please feel free!!  
Stay FIT and stay STRONG!!