Julian Groom: I am 35 and otherwise fit, going to a gym 3 times a week for an hour's workout that includes 20 minutes on a cross-trainer and 10 minutes of rowing. I have had intervertebral disc degeneration of the last but one disc in the lumbar spine that required surgery.My questions are: 1. Should I avoid the rowing machine? 2. If not, would a support, such as a weightlifter's belt help to maintain the correct rowing action and reduce stress on the lumbar spine?Terry O'Neill: From what you say I don't think a support such as a weightlifting belt is necessary. Normally supports are only used post operation to protect the injury during the healing process. Then you develop the muscles to support the area naturally. Continued use of supports tends to have the reverse effect and inhibit muscle development. Weightlifters use the belt for a totally different reason. If the operation has been successful then you are OK. I have also had surgery on my lower back and following the advice of the physio got back into exercise and have had no problems on the rowing machine. The thing is to be sensible and start slowly not spending too long on the machine in one go, better to do it in a series of visits. What a lot of people don't realise is that the seated position is the most stressful for the back and not the rowing action. Anyone with back problems should avoid being seated for prolonged periods (more than twenty minutes) without getting up and stretching the back.