Today Debbie has Scott Olsen as her guest. Scott previously worked at Debbie’s studio in Bellevue, and is now building his own fitness and training business in San Diego. His work is based around the practice of “bracing.” This is more than simply building core muscle, but finding ways to connect that strength to both upper and lower body as well.

Using his approach, a person “roots” themselves by imagining themselves pressing down into the earth. As Debbie points out, there are similarities between the process of finding your center as she discussed with Halley Bock a couple of weeks ago and finding your center physically so you can use that strength in your training. Bracing emphasizes engaging your glutes and the psoas muscle, which is deep down inside your pelvis.

Scott’s has quick pointers regarding how to use bracing in triathlon training. Bracing will improve your form in every sport, and the focus on breathing properly is always going to be important. He points out that we are often braced properly for sprinting and short distances, but with longer distances we start to get sloppy, which can lead to both injury and extra, unnecessary effort.

Scott can be contacted through http://beyondthemuscle.com/.