Stop doing 100s of crunches: Why this 5-minute 'bracing' routine builds a stronger core than sit-ups ever will

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Strengthen and stabilize in no time

a woman holding a yoga mat with strong abs
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Learn to engage your core with this five-minute “bracing” routine that will help improve your breathing, posture, and core strength. It will also help you switch on your abs quicker during exercise.

Bracing your core during workouts helps protect your lower back and create stability so you can perform movements safely and with greater power. This doesn’t just mean tensing your abs, though, and requires a little know-how to ensure the correct muscles are recruiting to stabilize your torso.

A strong core isn't just important for workouts, as it will help you stay functional and capable as you age, too. Here’s exactly what to do, and everything you need to know.

How do you engage your core? 

Man holding a medicine ball while sitting down during workout in a studio gym

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you imagine tensing your stomach as if someone were to punch you there, this is a simple way of explaining what it means to contract your core, but it’s a little more technical than that.

Ideally, you’re creating 360-degree tension by contracting your abdominal muscles while also breathing into your stomach rather than your chest. Think about a balloon inflating and deflating as you inhale and exhale.

Your diaphragm forms part of your core, so breathing properly is crucial for posture and abdominal engagement, which carries over to a more stable spine and better strength.

Studies have found that working on engaging your core during everyday activities like walking the dog or sitting at your desk can reduce chronic back pain. And the research shows that training your deep trunk muscles is the most effective, which means not just focusing on your abs. So let's sweep aside the sit-ups and crunches and aim for exercises that strengthen your deep core instead.

A daily routine can take just five minutes; if daily is too much, several times per week also carries benefits. Spend a few minutes practicing the routine below, and let us know how you find it in the comments section.

What are the exercises?

Try these. But before you get started, I stumbled upon a brilliant demonstration of how to brace your core before you begin the exercises.

The video below, courtesy of Mission Move Physical Therapy, encourages you to lie on your back with your legs lifted at 90 degrees. From here, move your knees toward your chest and over your hips, then lift your upper back away from the ground, almost like a crunch. Place your hands on your knees, then press against them as if pushing your knees away, and simultaneously push your knees into your hands.

Hello, brace position.

How to Brace Your Core?! - YouTube How to Brace Your Core?! - YouTube
Watch On

Exercise 1: Diaphragmatic breathing 3-5 sets x 5 breaths

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet planted on your exercise mat. Breathe in deeply, expanding your stomach like blowing up a balloon. Gently squeeze your abs and draw your belly button toward your spine while maintaining the pressure. Your stomach should feel rigid rather than soft.

Slowly exhale and release. Reset, then repeat.

Practicing these breathing techniques is brilliant for helping wake up your core muscles.

When we say "Draw your belly button in," you don't want to destabilize your spine or hollow out your lower stomach by simply sucking your stomach in as far as you can, as this isn't doing anything for your core. It should be a gentle pull while generating and maintaining pressure there.

As you take a deep breath in, focus on initially pushing your breath against your stomach, not just outward, but 360 degrees. It should feel expansive. Then, hold the tension without letting your belly "hang" or "dome" out. Always think that someone could punch you in the stomach at any time; that bracing feeling is the contraction you want to find.

Practicing these breathing techniques is brilliant for helping wake up your core muscles before heavy lifting, running, HIIT, or even mobility exercises.

Exercise 2: Deadbug 3 x 8-10 reps per side

Lie on your back with your knees bent at 90 degrees and feet lifted. Extend your arms into the air. Gently tilt your hips toward you and flatten your lower back to the mat; pull your belly button in and create tension in your stomach.

Extend your right arm and left leg away from you as you exhale, then return to center on your inhale. Repeat on the other side. Hold the "brace" without releasing tension in your stomach until you finish your reps.

Exercise 3: Bird dog 3 x 8-10 reps per side

an illo of a woman doing the bird dog exercise

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Start on hands and knees and find your brace while zipping in toward your spine. Extend the opposite arm and leg away from you, aiming for shoulder and hip height. Keep your spine neutral as if balancing a glass of wine there. Pause, then return to tabletop position and repeat on the other side.

For an extra belly burn, draw your elbow and knee toward each other under your body, then return to the tabletop position. The balancing work will also require core stability to prevent you from toppling over.

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Sam Hopes
Sam Hopes
Fitness Editor and Coach

Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified trainer, a level 2 Reiki practitioner and fitness editor at Tom's Guide. She is also currently undertaking her Yoga For Athletes training course.

Sam has written for various fitness brands and websites over the years and has experience across brands at Future, such as Live Science, Fit&Well, Coach, and T3.

Having coached at fitness studios like F45 and Virgin Active and personal trained, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, calisthenics and kettlebells.

She also coaches mobility and flexibility classes several times a week and believes that true strength comes from a holistic approach to training your body.

Sam has completed two mixed doubles Hyrox competitions in London and the Netherlands and finished her first doubles attempt in 1:11.

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