crazyoldman
New Member
My question involves doing leflifts (both legs simultaneously, knees bent or straight leg) on the floor. I have been doing them with my hands or fists clenched under the lower buttocks, as I was taught this would help keep the lower back from arching. A trainer I know who teaches ab classes at a local gym is teaching that keeping hands under the buttocks misaligns the spine and will lead to lower back problems later. She recommends hands on floor at your side for the basic position. I have had varying degrees of back problems in the past (an injury many years ago) and have less pain with hands under the buttocks. She says this is because I haven't been doing them right and I'm not properly strengthening the muscles to be able to keep from arching my back in the proper (her) position. I want to get the max from the time and energy I spend in my workouts and definitely don't want to cause more problems for my back, and I don't mind being told I'm wrong. Advance thanks to anyone who helps me with this.