planks?

Are planks supposed to make your lower back hurt? I am trying to do them and hold for 30 seconds at least but it makes my lower back hurt. That doesnt seem right.

Depending on the pain.

My pilates instructor said that pain in your lower back is normal, he says they make your lower back stronger.  Also, he recomends that you lift your "pelvic floor" and suck in your tummy, nto so much you cant breath but just a littlebit. 

It shifts the pressure around your body a bit differently.

No, they shouldn't make your back hurt. Planks are a very complicated exercise; without an understanding of the proper form and stabilization required to perform them they will likely bother your low back or at least be an ineffective exercise.

The proper posture one would have while standing is the same posture one should be able to maintain during a plank - in other words, your body shouldn't look any different whether standing or planking.

Instead of doing them on the floor, raise your body up to change the amount of resistance. Try putting your elbows on a chair or on the back of a couch.

Also, it's important to be able to fire your pelvic floor muscles (kegels) and transverse abs while performing a plank. good luck.

Wow, that really scares me that your Pilates instructor told you it is ok to have pain.

You should only be holding the exercise for as you can support your weight with your abs.  Once you start dumping your weight into your back you need to STOP.  If you can't do that, start with a modified kneeling plank, and work up to it.

Agree with vinny and kaffwyn - lower back pain is not something you work through - I can't imagine what the pilates instructor could have been thinking of, but pain is the body's way of telling you something is wrong.

Just posting to say I hate planks. Dang things are hard

I don't think you're supposed to be in pain, but it makes my entire body quiver with effort. It is tough!

you should not feel pain. if you feel pain don't do it. maybe you are doing it wrong. try building more strength and do other things beside planks. maybe try side planks. start modified and move to full side plank after practice.

Your back should be in a straight line, from heels to the back of your head. For example, its like a string from your ponytail to your heel, and your back is being held up by the string. You want the string to be taunt, so no sagging or slouches anywhere. concentrate and focus on your body. Where is the pain? Make little adjustments along your body until the pain elevates. Like slightly move a foot out, tighten up your core, maybe lower your shoulder down from your ear?

If you are a beginner than maybe only hold it for 10 seconds. Just deciding to hold it for 30 seconds off the bat may be too much?  Ask an instructor at a local gym for advice, or attend a class or two to get some tips.

I would strongly recommend taking pilates with a new instructor. No instructor should ever say that pain is good. Pain is an indicator that your body is not moving in a way that is healthy. 

Also 'sucking in' your stomach isn't really what you should do in order to get the great effects of this move. You want to make sure that you are tightening your abs not sucking them in. Oh and never ever do something that makes you unable to breath! Breathing is very important in any exercise... actually its very important in life.

Did you check out that your pilates instructor has the proper certifications? You would be surprise but there are instructors out there that aren't actually professionally certified.