Do push-ups and other abdominal exercises also work the lower back muscles?
Certain abdominal exercises can simultaneously work your abs and lower back, however push-ups is typically not one of them. Usually, anything that you do to lift your knee up towards your chest will work both the abdominals and the lower back. When working your lower back be advised that these muscles will NEVER develop like the upper portion of your lat, or your upper back. They are specialized muscles that are covered by a membrane called the thoracolumbar fascia. This membrane is designed to protect those muscles from overexertion and wear and tear. So those muscles located underneath will never truly “develop” like other muscles. That’s not to say that it isn’t good to strengthen them. In fact, exactly the opposite is true. However, be very careful when working them because if you throw out a muscle in your lower back, you will be in for some serious pain.
