Dana Santas, known as the “Mobility Maker,” is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and mind-body coach in professional sports. She is also the author of “Practical Solutions for Back Pain Relief.”
If you’ve spent any time in a gym, you’ve probably heard the cue: Brace your core.
The intention behind that advice is sound. Your core needs to stabilize your spine during movement and lifting. But when bracing becomes your default — forcefully tightening your abs during every exercise and throughout the day in pursuit of better posture or aesthetics — the strategy can backfire.
Instead of building greater strength or resilience, excessive core tension limits mobility, restricts breathing and triggers your nervous system’s stress response.
After more than two decades of working in professional sports, I can tell you that the strongest, most durable athletes aren’t the ones holding the most tension. They’re the ones with dynamic core stability that adapts to changing demands without restricting breathing or mobility.
