When can sitting in traffic be wonderful? How can you keep yourself entertained?
The very basis of having a strong core is not doing crunches and planks. Those muscles are not your core muscles. Your oblique and 6 pack muscles are primary movers and it’s too awkward to be doing planks while driving.
While sitting, put your butt right to the back of your seat. Right to the back. Sit tall! You might have to adjust your mirrors. Create a space in the small of your back, big enough for your hand to fit. Your feet must be as even as possible, by which I mean your left foot isn’t outstretched as far as it will go. Now you’re in neutral.
Everytime you need to apply the breaks tighten your pelvic floor muscles! For women, these are kegel exercises. Not enough that you squeeze your glutes though. For men, we say “stop the flow”. Imagine what you would do to stop going pee.
Once your pelvic floor is activated, lighly draw your belly button in. Do this without holding your breath! You cannot drive while holding your breath! Just “draw in” enough that your tummy flattens a little.
Hold this only for a brief moment, let go, and repeat. Repeat everytime you touch the breaks or every time you turn a corner. Hold your position in your seat – might be harder than you think!
Questions? Meet with one of our athletic therapists to learn how to set your core. You can avoid or treat many back problems with learning this valuable trick.
Jen Mark BSc., CAT(C), CSCS
www.dynamicliving.me
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