Don’t Ignore your Core: But Use the Right Movements For Your Spine

Core strength is crucial, but most people go about it the wrong way.

Most people do ACTIVE core exercises when they should be doing ANTI core exercises.

Let me explain.

Active core exercises are those in which your core-your spine, basically-is moving.

In a crunch or situp, your spine is actively flexing to bring your torso up.

Source: https://www.military.com/military-fitness/workouts/resting-with-crunches

In a dumbbell side bend, your spine is moving laterally, or side to side.

Source: SWEAT: Special Workouts, Exercises and Advanced Techniques

In a cable wood-chop, your spine is rotating, or twisting, to the side.

Source: https://www.muscleandfitness.com/exercise/supplements/build-muscle/reverse-cable-woodchop/

Now, don’t get me wrong-your spine CAN do this, and it IS built to move. It’s just quite easy to get injured with these exercises when loading them.

For a lot of people, doing these exercises is like doing this to your spine:

You are much better off doing exercises where your spine is NOT moving, but your core musculature is…