Just google "Pilates for Back Pain", and COUNTLESS articles will come up, as Pilates exercises are extremely effective for increasing core strength and thus alleviating lower back pain and discomfort.

But what the articles don't tell you is that Pilates in and of itself is not magical:  PILATES EXERCISES MUST BE DONE PROPERLY IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE. In fact, doing Pilates with poor form can often have the opposite effect and actually CAUSE lower back pain.

Let's look at The Hundred.

Guest post by Kevin Devoto

A wise individual once said, “An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly”. Are you constantly on the go? Do you tend to lose yourself in the translation of life? If so, it may be time for you to introduce a self-care regimen into that active life of yours.  

When it comes to Fiber, some people tend to go crazy. So what exactly is fiber? Well, according to HelpGuide.org, "fiber, also known as roughage, is the part of plant-based foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans) that the body can't break down. It passes through the body undigested, keeping your digestive system clean and healthy, easing bowel movements, and flushing cholesterol and harmful carcinogens out of the body." As you can see, fiber provides a lot of benefits to the human body.

“Drawing-in” vs. “Bracing” - Is one better than the other?

In last week’s blog, we explained the “drawing-in” process, using the picture of a corset to highlight how the fibers of the Transversus Abdominis (TrA) work.

How to Strengthen your Core and Prevent Lower Back Pain

Unlike the Pecs, Glutes or Triceps, the Transversus Abdominis is not a vanity muscle!  

Nor is it a muscle of absolute strength. 

BUT!  It is one of the most important muscles that you can train, both for strength and endurance. 

They REALLY do!!

And this applies to your workouts too!

We shared our “PLANKENSTEIN” workout with you, which is 5 minutes of super intense planking.  But it is natural to think… does a 5 minute workout really count?