The Most Common Core Training Mistake

“Engage your core!” That’s a pretty common thing to hear around a gym, right? And for good reason. Your core has important responsibilities, namely stabilizing your entire midsection so your arms and legs can do everything they need to do. Poor core function is a primary reason for back and shoulder pain.

A huge “A-Ha” moment I see all the time happens when someone experiences back pain performing an exercise, and the pain goes away when I tell them what I’m about to tell you.

It’s important because people have a pretty common misconception about how to properly engage their core. What they tend to do is suck their belly in. This actually REDUCES stability in their midsection. That allows the lower back to move in ways it's not designed for, and that causes pain.

Here’s the right way. Stand up and lightly push the fingers of each hand into either side of your belly. Now, using your abs, push your fingers out. Feel the pressure that just filled your entire midsection? Both front and back? That's stabilization, and that's how your back stays in a good position.

To put it simply, instead of sucking your belly in, push your abs out. Yes, it’s a small difference, but it means quite a bit and may just get rid of that back pain you feel when picking something up.