Dean Cutrer Behind the neck lat pull-down – Keep the bar in front of your neck instead of behind Standing-bent over toe touch – Put a slight bend in the knee to take pressure off back. Back Hyperextension – Go slow and controlled throughout and instead of hyperextended when coming back to the top only go till you are straight. Straight Leg Sit Ups – Just do regular sit ups so there isn’t compression on your spinal discs. Doing this will also not put as much stress on your lower back.