Why do we want to tighten the core in the first place? By tightening or bracing the core it pulls our hips and spine in the best position to load and protect it. This in turn helps us lift more efficiently and decreases our chance of injury.

So now you are probably thinking, how the hell do I tighten all those muscles and try and perform a lift? The answer is: You don’t. There is no way we can think of and try to fire every core muscle in our LPHC. The good news is our body has a built in support system that will automatically activate those muscles by our breath and some learned neuromuscular (Mind to Muscle) control.

So let's get that core activated!

Here are 3 great exercises to help you learn to tighten your core!

Pelvic Tilt with Breathing

-Take a deep breath in through your belly. Focus on not driving your feet in the ground but rotating your hips to get your low back to push into the ground. Exhale while holding tilt and focus on feeling your abs stiffen or tighten.

Dynamic Standing

- A simple exercise you can do anywhere! Start with soft Knees, pull Shoulders back, Tuck your tailbone in while squeezing glutes. Take a deep breath in and try to expand abdomen forward, backward, sideways, and back for a 360 degree “stiffness.” Hold 3-5 seconds and relax. 

Slow Dead Bugs with Breathing

-Before you start to move your leg/ arm. Tilt your hips back so that your low back pushes against the ground. Focus on maintaining this tilt as you do the exercise. Don’t cheat and crunch up with your shoulders! This exercise is very difficult when done properly.

If you're confused and looking for a customized online or in person program tailored to your specific goals click here to schedule a free session or 20 min call.