Strengthen Your Core So Your Back's Not Sore - Curl Up

Today's post continues to build on the theme of core strength that I've touched upon over the last few weeks. It's almost as if this whole core strength thing is...important! If you haven't had a chance to read those previous posts, check out Abdominal Bracing and Bird Dog.

Hopefully by now you're all pros at abdominal bracing, because as I mentioned before, it's an important exercise to master, and is a crucial component of McGill's Big Three.

McGill's Big Three you ask? Here's a quick refresher. Dr. Stuart McGill, world-renown biomechanist and low back expert (and Canadian!) recommends abdominal bracing as one component of a low back exercise routine. The remaining three exercises, known as McGill's Big Three, build upon your ability to effectively perform abdominal bracing.

Today I'm introducing the Curl Up.

Like the Bird Dog before it, the goal of the Curl Up is to work on improving core strength and stability (low back, abdominal and hip muscles). Start with one set of 10 reps daily. Ultimately, performing three sets daily, with a 60 second rest period between sets, is ideal. And, don't forget to keep up with your abdominal bracing, too!