Some simple exercises that can help you maintain your strength and at the same time help your back are as follows.

• Lay down on your stomach and raise yourself off the ground by using your elbows, forearms and hands.

• Your elbows, forearms and hands should form an L shape so your shoulder would be the top of the letter L and your hands should be the bottom of the letter L with your elbow being the ninety degree angle in the shape of the letter.
• The area from your elbow to your hands should be the only spot touching the ground along with your toes.
• You should use some type of padding to reduce stress on your elbows and forearms case they will receive most of he weight.

Keep your hips, knees, and stomach off the ground keeping your body straight, supporting yourself so your body is parallel to the ground. Your toes should be holding you up. While you are holding this position keep your stomach tight and straight off the ground. You probably wont feel the burning sensation that you are used to when performing stomach exercises, which could be a good thing.

If for some reason you cant hold your knees off the ground you can put your knees down initially.  Ideally you should be able to hold this position for about 3 minutes.  Start slow and try for 30 seconds then the next time you try it increase your time, but do it gradually so you don’t hurt yourself.

Gradually like any exercise you should be able to hold your self up and you will have a stronger core, stronger abdominal muscles and therefore have a stronger back.