Ab work with bad back

Can someone recommend any excercises that target the abs for someone with a bad back?

DH has an extra vertabrae which causes him discomfort and at times pain but would really like to tone up his abs. He is already doing cardio.

TIA!

My PT has me doing planks and side planks to strengthen my abs ( I have a bad back)

to do the plank:

lay face down on the floor (mat,etc) lean up on your elbows and toes to lift yourself up off the floor. Do NOT stick your but in the air, try to keep your body as straight as possible (like a plank) USE your abs to hold you straight and still... think of lifting your stomach to the ceiling (without raising your butt)

She had me start doing these for 20 seconds, then rest... 6 times.

You should be able to increase the duration of each plank with time.

Side planks are essentially the same thing, but on your side...

lean on your elbow and lift your body as straight as you can from your feet. I find these much more difficult to do, I do them for 15 second intervals instead.


edited to add: for somebody stronger my PT suggested doing them for longer sets.. for example, she does hers for 60 seconds each plank, so 6 minutes overall. You will know if you are doing them right by the ab muscles, as long as you feel it there and don't have back pain.

Fh and I have bad backs...I have a herniated disc in my lower back, and he has a bulging disc...both are painful....

whats working for us it the 6 second abs

6 Second Abs

Would working with an exercise ball help, I wonder?

I think there's a good article on them in my Prevention magazine, maybe it is reproduced on their website.

Either way, I have one and also used one at the gym when I used to go and I liked it. And I have back problems.

Mary

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll pass them on to DH. Mary, I'll look for that article at Prevention.

(I apologize for neglecting this thread - I do appreciate the help).