If You Can Hold a Bridge This Long After 60, Your Core Strength Is Stronger Than 90% of Peers

Most people don’t think about their core when they think about strength. They think arms, maybe legs. But if you’ve ever dealt with a cranky lower back or felt your hips get tired halfway through a walk, you’ve already felt what happens when the core isn’t pulling its weight. I see it all the time. Someone stays active, does a lot right, but their hips and midsection just don’t have the same staying power.

And here’s where it gets interesting. A lot of that doesn’t show up in big lifts or flashy movements. It shows up in how well you can hold a position. Can your hips stay level? Can your glutes stay engaged? Can your core keep everything in place without you constantly adjusting? That’s the stuff that carries over into real life.

That’s why I like using the bridge hold. It’s simple, and it tells the truth pretty quickly. You lie down, lift your hips, and hold. No distractions. ...