I have been doing some strength training about everyday. It is very light as I am just starting. Well I tried to lay on the ground today and do some ab workouts, and my lower back feels bruised! It hurt just to lay on my back on the floor. So I got a pillow, no such luck Is there any advice for this? Any standing up ab workouts I can do?

Not sure about the issue you are having...but a standing-up workout...stand with your feet comfortably apart...raise your knee and twist your upper body, bring the opposite elbow to that knee...then, do the other knee, do three sets of ten. God luck to you!

Try doing crunches on an exercise ball.

These can also be done standing up.