For a minute I thought you were going senile when I read the other post
Gym does work if you know what you are doing. I think when you mention the word gym everyone associates the word with massive weights, what I am doing is mainly lower back and abs all on specific machines that doesn't allow bad technique and keeps the back well supported while doing exercises. I respect your opinion on gym, but I will remain to disagree which is my humble opinion, in fact it has made a big difference to my stablising muscles around my back as well as major muscle groups. If you think about it, if I can strengthen my back through steady controlled movements like what I am doing, the correct amount of stretching to stay supple, it has to be a bonus.
I hear you say, well it doesn't seem to be working for you? But as my consultant said, he was amazed that I rode a bike in the first place in my condition, he went on to say that what I do is not making my back any worse as I am not lifting heavy weights.
I do train every other day when I am in training, even if I had no back problems vets cannot do back to back stuff and need the recovery.
I can drag out some Palmares if I search I never really made a note, from memory I have won about 30 odd National titles, Commonwealth Games Silver in Canada 1978, had some top 6th placings in the Grand Prix Circuit which at the time was quite good theres more but I can't be **** to look. I did a record attempt once got up to 126 mph