Can we honestly say that the emphasis on core exercises as a solution to lower back pain in cyclists is anything more than a band-aid fix for a problem thats largely caused by poor bike fit and inadequate training habits? It seems like every time someone complains about lower back pain, the default response is to tell them to start doing more planks and Russian twists, without stopping to consider whether their bike is actually set up correctly or if theyre using proper riding technique.
Ive seen plenty of riders who have strong cores and still struggle with lower back pain, and Ive seen others who have weak cores but manage to ride for hours without issue. So whats really going on here? Is it possible that core exercises are being oversold as a solution to lower back pain, and that were ignoring more important factors like bike fit, training habits, and overall riding technique?
And what about the idea that core exercises can actually make lower back pain worse in some cases? Ive heard some people argue that overemphasizing core strength can lead to overuse and strain on the lower back, particularly if the rider is using poor technique or has underlying biomechanical issues. Is there any truth to this, or is it just a myth?