Brace or "draw in" !

The question often arises should one brace or "draw in" the abdominal area. Well from what I've read and if you take Dr. Stuart McGill advise (one of the most respected researchers in spinal care), you would brace. The area with bracing is that there is greater core muscular activation then with the "drawing in" maneuver. Bracing simply feels like your readying yourself to be punched in the stomach. It's quite simple and you don't have to put in a lot of effort, just pretend a small child is going to jump in your arms or punch you in the stomach, it takes just that much effort.