Core exercises is still a hot topic these days.
And with good reason , because there is still A LOT of debate surrounding it.
For example:
One of the causes I went to my kettlebell instructor certification (the RKC) back in 2005 was because even though I could:
Hold a Plank for 2 minutes
Hold a Side-Bridge for two minutes
Do Single Leg Hip Bridges on a stability ball for two sets of twenty
Do single leg touchdowns, standing on a half foam-roller for 2 sets of 20 using a 25 lb dumbbell (think Single Leg Deadlift , but your arm ends up over your head - kinda like a slow speed snatch)
Do Single Leg Chops & Lifts (on a “balance pad” - unstable surface)
And any number of other “fun moves” for my core stability and core strength...
But I -
[a] Still tore the labrum in my right hip…
And more importantly to me at the time -
[b] I still couldn’t do 2-Hand Swings without my lower back hurting
So how does that happen ?
Simple.
You use the wrong core engagement strategies.
And / or the wrong core exercises .
I recently watched a “ Top Core Exercise…?” video.
In it, the presenter made the case that the “best” core exercise was the Loaded Carry.
Of course, me being - well, me - I immediately disagreed.
The answer is, it might be, and it might not be, depending on the person and his/her current level of core health.
I’m not criticizing the Loaded Carry - it's a effective exercise.
But experience has shown me that you have to have a certain level of stability and strength in your core already in order to use them effectively .
Otherwise, you can tweak your facet joints in your spine (instability) and / or pull your QL (quadratus lumborum) - a muscle that runs on an angle that connects your spine to your pelvis.
As someone who’s done both , I can tell you with 100% certainty that -
[a] Neither are enjoyable
[b] Both will cost you some time off your training - even delay you a few weeks or perhaps worse - months
And -
[c] Probably cost you some, if not a lot of money - if you go see a chiropractor or massage therapist for relief ( often)
So how do you know what the “right” core exercise - or even the “BEST” core exercise is for you?
You TEST (Evaluate) yourself.
I recommend you use these two straightforward tests.
The first tests / screens your subconscious core stability and also detects asymmetries between sides.
It’s more info super important to find out whether your core automatically contracts before movement and to assess if you have side-to-side deficiencies .
The second is super important for understanding how strong your anterior core (the front of your body) is and whether you can keep from hurting yourself while doing KB Ballistics like the Swing, Clean, and Snatch.
What I’ve discovered over the last 15 years is that people who’ve had the following:
Lower back injuries
Hip strains
Knee strains
Abdominal surgeries (including women having C-sections)
To name but a few…
… Have weakened the ability to instinctively support their spine before they engage it with a kettlebell or any other piece of equipment.
Their “anticipatory” stabilization function is “offline.”
And as a result, they have to dedicate some effort “re-educating” their core to bring that anticipatory function back online -
Kinda like Neo in The Matrix when Tank “uploads” Kung Fu into him.
It’s not as speedy for us as it was for Neo, but one specific exercise does (which I call “Your Core Foundation”) make a huge and instant difference for most of us.
(I say "us," because I’ve gone through this myself. As a result, I hit PRs - Personal Records - in my 50s which I couldn’t do in my 20s.)
So, take these tests , find out if you have any weaknesses , and if you do, improve them.
You can research your own core routines or you can grab the “done for you” version where I’ve laid everything out for you called Systematic Core Training For Kettlebells.
At the end of the day, using the right core movement can assist you or hurt you - especially when hoisting your KBs over your head.
Hope this helps .
Stay Resilient ,
Geoff Neupert.