How to engage core correctly

mengele

Returned to the gym this month. Got a free personal training session for joining back up. The pt kept saying to me to engage core while doing exercises.

How do you ensure your actually engaging core correctly?

AllForIt

If you mean non-core exercises, it means just 'squeeze' them. Hold them 'tight'. So if you're squatting just make sure your're squeezing them, or 'engaging' them. Don't let them go limp. If you do ab exercises then you should be easily be able to do with with your 'mind muscle' connection to your abs. Don't make a bit deal about the term 'engaging' as if it's something really complicated. You could just practise doing it sitting watching the TV. Pull them in, kinda thing. I always do it walking up a hill, so I don't put my lower back out which is a bit iffy.

Black Sheep

Core and glute related cues are ubiquitous in the industry but largely unrelated to achieving meaningful results or increased performance.

If you’re under load and performing a movement like a push-up or squat and your form is not breaking down, your core is likely doing just fine whether your PT reminds you to engage it or not.

I think sometimes it’s just a case of having something vaguely professional sounding to say, and maybe they’re more confident with cueing to engage the core than actually giving instruction on a given exercise.

Cill94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058237093/how-to-engage-core-correctly

I would find a better PT.