Bracing
I still get potential clients who talk about “sucking it in.” No, this isn’t to hide the gut, it’s to create spinal stability which many exercise practioners still practice. Is it effective? Unless you have back issues now (and depending on what they are), it will be nowhere near as effective as “bracing.” Bracing is a term used to simply describe contraction of all of your ab muscles. Practically speaking, you can make sure you are braced by completely relaxing. Then tense up your ab muscles and feel your “front” abs (rectus abdominis) and your “side” abs (obliques). If they’re harder, then you are braced. This will actually protect your spine from stress, herniations, avulsions, and other dehabilitating injuries with any exercise that you do. Also practice keeping your back straight when you do exercises and this also creates the highest stability for your back.
Von
