I have been very interested in the importance of "core stability" lately. I am not talking about balancing on a bosu ball while pressing a dumbbell overhead, which is pointless and stupid. I am talking about the ability to stabilize the lumbar spine during movement. I recently read "Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance" by Stuart McGill, which is an amazing book. He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of stability in the lumbar spine while generating power and movement at the hips and thoracic spine. I learned a lot about this while I was interning with Mike Robertson and Bill Hartman at their facility in Indianapolis. While abdominal and low back strength are important, abdominal and low back stability are just as important and are often overlooked in many training programs. Research shows that often times people who suffer from low back pain lack this stability and don't have sufficient support while loading their spine. Many people, including myself for some time, put too much focus on building strength in their abs and low back and forget all about stability. Increased stability will help performance in many athletic movements and activities of daily living. A stable abdominal wall to transfer force through to the hips with, will help with anything from a squat or deadlift to a punch or golf swing. That being said, stability exercises such as planks and bridges often need to be included in many people's workouts.
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