Your core

It seems everyone knows their core is not working as it could be.

I often here “I don’t have a core anymore” or “My core needs a lot of help” or “I have back pain because my core is weak.”

There is some truth to these statements, but there’s more to it.

The muscles surrounding your midsection all work together to stabilize your hips and low back from moving too much, or at least, that’s the design. They must work in the proper sequence, too.

The deepest abdominal muscle, the transverse abdominis (TA), should activate first, before the body even begins to move.

Unfortunately, this action is often delayed and other, lager muscles, activate prior to the TA and can become irritated due to overuse.

Sitting for many hours per day, injuries, pregnancy and childbirth, having excess abdominal fat and even constipation or bloating can effect how the deep core muscles function and how the brain and muscles work together.

There are many exercise to help alleviate the problem and one that is simple to teach and to do is a version of a plank.

If you are on Instagram, check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9x1orcJxRJ/?utm_so…​

It’s basically holding a tall plank and shifting from right to left as you pretend to pick up your hand. It’s just enough for the brain to think “Hey, I’ve got to stabilize the low back before my base of support lessens.”

Check it out and give it a try.