Good core workout for someone just starting?

[edibor]

My SO has hip/back problems and has been told to strengthen his core to help support his frame. We're looking for a core strengthening program that is not too aggressive (he's in pain) that is not too time consuming so we can do it every day or every other day. I personally think crunches are really dumb, because they strain your back and there are a number of ways to do them wrong and reap no benefits. But other exercises (like the one where you lie on your back and bring your face toward your opposite knee) should be fine.

Any suggestions for either existing regimens/classes or just a few exercises that would be good for a slightly overweight guy in pain to strengthen his core? Can we do just the core days of a P-90X-ish workout program, for example? Thanks!

[electromagnetic]

Im pretty sure if he is in pain, he's suppose to rest up first. But if you're looking for core work. Start off with planks ascending and descending. So 30 sec, 45 sec, and again 30. See where he's at in terms of pain level and work from there.

[Pyrofox]

maybe try swiming and have him just lay back and kick.

Or also the method of holding onto the side might work and doing the same to keep yourself flat.

[SteamBuns]

First, If he's feeling pain, Let that heal first, then let him go do some dead lifts and ab crunches and planks

[SteamBuns]

Buy some anti inflammatory cream N let him rub it on the injured area for 2 times a day

[SteamBuns]

Example: Voltaren/ Omnigel

[edibor]

The back doctor prescribed the exercise to eliminate the pain. It doesn't go away with inflammatory cream.

[SteamBuns]

ohh wow well his condition is out of my experience, I tried

[Dtegesd123]

maybe he can hold a dumbbell above his head with one arm and walk around. I'm assuming it hurts him to bend his back not just put pressure on it from a vertical plane.

[Xfitchick]

abs, straight planks and side planks.