Watch your back: build your core with a Swiss ball (Score 1)

Years of sitting at a desk have screwed up my L5-S1 disc, which in addition to my L3-L4 have now herniated and caused a month of excruciating pain. A number of things relevant to this thread contributed to this: Sitting at a desk all day Poor posture Choosing the wrong exercises at the gym Being about 20 lbs overweight. Going through physical therapy taught me a fair number of core exercises which in addition to helping me lose an inch or so around the middle, have strengthed all my ab and lower back muscles including the core ones the machines and traditional situps don't touch. I've since purchased a Swiss ball to do core exercises at home to keep my core toned. You would be amazed how much that alone will do for your health and your back. Oh, and get up from the desk every once in a while.