Wicked tailbone and situps. Ouch!

When I do situps I can actually hear my tailbone cracking against the floor. It hurts, and putting a pillow under my bottom helps some, but I still end up with a bruise.

Any solution to this?

Thanks!

Stop doing situps.

Pick something a little more sturdy than a pillow.  Do sit-ups on a carpet, with some sort of foam/rubber yoga mat type thing under.  See if that helps.

If not, there are plenty of altnernative ab exercises.  You can do the pointed-toes, flutter kick with your hands under you butt. You can do lots of ab exercises on a stability ball.  There are lots of planks/ab from pilates and yoga. I'd start with the mat, and the previous ideas.

Instead of sit-ups do leg lifts.  Lay on the floor with your hands tucked under your butt (this keeps your lower back from arching) and lift lift lift! Or a really tough one is to lay on your back with your legs straight up and then lifting your hips off the floor several times...this really grinds your lower abs.

My husband has the same problem.  There are lots of different ways to do situps:  You can do them on a ball, or with your legs elevated (which is harder, but should ease some of the pressure off your low back), you could sit at the edge of a weight bench and do leg extensions, or do leg lifts in a Roman chair. 

I find that fitness magazine websites (Women's Health especially) have good abs moves and usually pictures or film clips so you can see them done properly.

Lots of options!

Thanks guys. I do have one of those balls in the closet, but I like the amount of strength I have to use when I'm laying flat on the floor. I'll get that thing blown up and see if it helps. I'm just getting back into the exercise game, so this is like starting from scratch ;)

I put my feet under the couch and use a ball for that exact reason. Or leg lifts OR do them in bed(grin).

As one rather rare person who actually has had her tailbone removed, this is what works for me and it actually helps keep your lower back flat on the floor preventing lower back injury.

Do mini-crunches with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.  Now here's the real trick...Put one fist under each butt cheek.  That takes the pressure off the tailbone area and tilts the hips up a bit reducing the pressure on the lower back. 

I also use the fist approach when doing leg lifts...make sure to keep your knees slightly bent when doing leg lifts so you're using your abs and not your hip flexors.

Try it, it works!

I broke my tailbone several years ago so I understand your pain.

What I do is lie down flat bend my knees then tilt my pelvis as far forward as possible, then hold, your back should be flat on ground.  I then do my crunches just enough to lift shoulderblades from floor.  Until abs get stronger roll a towel to put under your bottom.

I also use the stability ball or go to gym and use captains chair or use ab machines (torture chambers).

I really like to mix it up or I get bored.

happy ab(ing)

I have to sit on my hand when I take a bath, so I totally get the fist thing. I never had tail bone problems until I lost my booty fluff! I'm really thinking the ball is going to be my savior. I've seen those mini ab balls at the store, but never gave them a go. I just wanted something I could use during my slim n six videos.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a wicked tailbone.

The exercise ball is a great thing to use...it dosn't feel like it is working as well, but wait untill the next day. 

aw I have the same problem.
used to do like 150 /200 a day, and I can't right now, I have a big bruise thingy on my tailbone, and it hurts=[
i feel really unfit now I can't do my situps :(
but i resort to dancing around madly to burn cals instead lol:)