Planks?
Crunches?
Squats?
What say you?
Planks?
Crunches?
Squats?
What say you?
I used to have chronic back problems when i was mid 20s.
I now have been using Kettlebells for about a year and my back has not given me one problem since. i guess therefore that Kettlebells are pretty good for back muscles - I am not an expert though, that is just my experience
Lower back - Deadlift.
Upper back - Pull ups, rows, lat pulldown.
Pull Ups are pretty solid.
Pullups
Bridges
Deadlifts
Throw in some glute/ham raises for good measure.
[url=http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/the_gluteham_raise_from_a_to_z]T NATION | The Glute-Ham Raise from A to Z[/url]
If you're talking about protecting the spine, crunches are the last thing you want to do. Anything that forces you to stabilize the midsection works best: planks, squats, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, bridges are good too...pushing and pulling exercises done while standing...there are quite a few others, but that's all I've got before my first cup of coffee :p
I used to have issues with lower back pain, weakness. Once I started deadlifting and using hyper extensions as a support exercise, my lower back issues are completely gone.
+ 1 to kettlebell swings....
I really like hanging leg raises. The way the whole core has to tighten is awesome.