Seems like elliptical has been low impact and easy on the body in general.
I have an L5-S1 fusion from decades ago and pretty much no problems with that area but I have issues in the neck and nerves going down the arms. No weakness, per se, but just pain.
I have a lot of experience with rehab, from back to shoulder, to even ankle, lol.
So I'm careful with everything, but I can still learn.
Any more about the elliptical and back and a suggested substitute would be more than welcome @edawg .
Also, If you don't mind, look at that Total Gym vid above, the second video showing the oblique excercises.
Seems like these are great for my back, the feel great, even stretch it, and waaaaaay batter than the damn sit up bench. I might sneak into the gym one night and set the sit up bench on fire, lol.
But I wondered about the obliques, and the small back twist. So far, it seems to be good for the back and any soreness has been the good kind in my low and mid back.
Any thoughts on that position? I work out with a chiropractor most days, so I have input there too, but I'm a bit of a guinea pig on some of these excercises and the after effects. So far, though, so good.
Appreciate any thoughts you have, discussion with you on any of these things has always been intelligent and enlightening.
google all the palloff press variations, learn to really diaphragmatically breathe, slowly intro side/gator plank variations with hip abduction, superman type poses might be good.
movement is medicine and motion is lotion if you properly dose and modify you can do more than you think. after fusions the Ortho surgeons lift the BLT restrictions after 6-8 weeks for a reason. you aren't supposed to spend your life avoiding them. but if you spend a few years avoiding them, then you will have slowly ramp up.