Thread: A stomach question...

I have heard that as well. I was also told to hold it in when doing other exercises like legpress or it would take on the shape when pressing. Hold it in and it stays in or push it out and it stays out. Not sure if there is any truth in that but I tend to hold it in now. lol

Originally Posted by Lost Grizzly

I have heard that as well. I was also told to hold it in when doing other exercises like legpress or it would take on the shape when pressing. Hold it in and it stays in or push it out and it stays out. Not sure if there is any truth in that but I tend to hold it in now. lol

Whoever told you that was a moron.

Originally Posted by StanUk

Whoever told you that was a moron.

I agree they were either a Moron or a clown. Either way pretty retarded.

Originally Posted by L Armstrong

Is this true?

Just like squeezing your muscles, it's unnecessary and probably useless.

drawing in the abdominals before movement has been shown in studies to activate the transverse abdominus (TVA) as well as other deep stabilizers of the abdominal wall. However, this is only in those with back problems, as it has been shown that their TVA fires (contracts) improperly or delayed. Our TVA and deep stabilizers contract just before movement happens, as a way to protect the spine. In those with back pain, this firing patter is altered (delayed), hench the reason they have the back pain. So, if you do have back pain, doing some TVA activation work like a "drawing in" may be able to help.


It is known that you can't take studies performed on sick people (in this case, those with back pain) and generalize them to healthy people. The bracing mechanism is a great way to tighten up your abdominals when performing exercise, and also activates the TVA. It has been shown to provide stability. So, instead of drawing in, brace yourself (like forming a girdle) and you should be good to go.

ok thanks all´....i just needed to check...at least i can concentrate on my breathing again.

I don't think the draw-in technique is a bad idea during certain bodyweight resisted abdominal exercises and such. Mike Boyle believes this is beneficial in not only populations of people with low back disorders, but in more active and athletic individuals as well. However, I would not do this during structural compound lifts. Look at powerlifters, what do they do that allows them to support 1000+ pounds on their back during a squat? They brace!

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I don't think the draw-in technique is a bad idea during certain bodyweight resisted abdominal exercises and such. Mike Boyle believes this is beneficial in not only populations of people with low back disorders, but in more active and athletic individuals as well. However, I would not do this during structural compound lifts. Look at powerlifters, what do they do that allows them to support 1000+ pounds on their back during a squat? They brace!

Someone asked him about that, and he said somethign to the effect off...you can't go by everything in that book because when it was written those were my views at the time and I can't change the material in it. The part about abdominals was written pre-McGill, so some of my views have changed.