How to engage your core

Some people suck in their stomach while doing ab work. This is wrong—here, a trainer explains how to engage your core the right way for a better workout.

Do you struggle to engage your core and breathe at the same time? You're not alone -- but you've also got some learning to do. Get ready for your lesson!

You hear it all the time. Especially in group exercise classes. 'Engage your core.' 'Activate that transverse abdominis.' 'Turn those ab muscles on, ladies!' But what does that even mean? And how can you make sure you're actually engaging your core right (or right-ish)? This can be really tricky - especially for new moms who are having a tough time even feeling their ab muscles work. So what do you need to know to actually get this core engagement thing down pat? Well, for starters, I get…

Here's what your trainer really means when they tell you to "engage your core."

At - Home Fix For Back Pain + Sciatica on Instagram: "Try these hip strengthening exercises 🤓. Hips are at the core of many exercises, providing stability and power for movements like squats, deadlifts, and lunges. It also helps with: Injury Prevention: Strengthening your hip muscles can help prevent common injuries, including lower back pain and knee issues, by improving alignment and support. Improved Performance: Powerful hips can enhance your overall athletic performance, enabling you…

Many exercises ask you to "engage your core", but are you wrecking your back in the process?

Related

Am I engaging my core correctly?

"Engage your core" is a common exercise cue meant to encourage support of your spine and contraction of your trunk muscles. This article explains how to engage your core, what the core muscles are, and exercises to help strengthen them.

Take your core strength from 0 to 100 with these trainer-approved exercises.