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[Neonivek]

A friend of mine is having terrible back pains that will likely flare up from time to time and not exactly go away.

He has a gym membership and is trying to exercise and get into shape.

Yet most exercises even ones that aren't there to exercise your back often are still intensive on your back as your back is often used to stabilize your body and keep balance. Even the stationary bike is harsh on it this time (though when it isn't in trouble, he can do that fine)

What are some good and effective exercises that you can do, or techniques you can try, that either are light on the back or don't use your back?

[ChairmanPoo]

GPs usually have a small list of those. ..

[Eldin00]

Recumbent bike style stationary bikes are relatively easy on the back, as are some of the lifts that are done while lying on a horizontal or inclined bench.

[martinuzz]

He should see a doctor. Exercise is not nescessarily good. It can make some things worse.

[Neonivek]

He should see a doctor. Exercise is not nescessarily good. It can make some things worse.

He is, but he is an American so... yeah he can't really do anything about it... because America.

It isn't a temporary condition.

[martinuzz]

Try the safe way. Tell him to lie down and rest for say, 3 days. If that does not make the backache go away, or at least be less severe, then excercise might help.
The other way around, excercise first, and if that doesn't work, lie down, is a less safe route.

[4maskwolf]

It isn't a temporary condition.

Perhaps the best way to figure stuff out is to just run a google search for "Best exercises to do with [INSERT_PROBLEM_HERE]", or even just search for the problem itself.  Without knowing what the problem is (and what you said makes it seem like it's a long-term issue) out suggestions could just make things worse.

[Neonivek]

This is just exercises he can do that are light to "no effort" on his back.

The issue is his spinal column.