How to Engage Your Core

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You may hear many fitness professionals, including myself, say “engage your core” when you exercise. But what exactly is your core and why is it important?  

Your core stabilizes your spine and enables it to move. It includes all the muscles from your rib cage to your pelvis: the abdominals in front  (your “six pack”) that are responsible for flexion of the spine; obliques on the sides, which enable you to twist your spine or bend it laterally; and back muscles including those that are on both sides of your spine that serve as stabilizers. Your glutes (butt muscles) and hip muscles also help stabilize your spine in addition to their other functions.

Every motion you do involves your core - walking, reaching, bending down to pick something up, getting up from a chair (or toilet!). Having a strong core protects your spine from injury and promotes good posture, which not only makes you look good, but more importantly enables your joints to function properly.

“Engaging your core” means bracing and tightening all of the muscles in your core to keep your spine safe and stable. Muscles from your rib cage to your pelvis should feel like a single, strong cylinder. Imagine you are bracing your stomach for a punch. Another way to engage your core is to stand or sit tall, take a deep breath and tighten your core muscles. You should be able to breathe while holding that tightness. When you think about it, you are preventing yourself from slouching when you do this (which is great for your posture!).

Most of our workouts involve engaging and strengthening your core. Check out our Core Workout Playlist, and specific workouts that strengthen your core: 5 Minute Core Workout, Standing Core Workout. 

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