Core Training: What It Is And Why You Need It!
The last decade or so the fitness world has been obsessed with what is known as ‘Core Training’. We have been inundated with everything from trainers and magazine articles to gym classes and fitness plans telling us how to build a stronger ‘core’.
With all this talk of strengthening my core, I’m starting to wonder if I’m part apple!
The question is though, just what is your ‘core’ and why do you need to focus on strengthening it so much?
Well, your core is that area of your torso that runs from your sternum to your pelvic region, in simple terms, your abdomen. It also encompasses the sides (obliques) and all the way around to your back. Your mid/lower back muscles encompass the area from your ribs to the pelvis and tailbone.
There are many muscles in this area but the main ones we are focusing on would be what we would call the ‘stabilizers’. Your abdominal or ab and mid/lower back muscles are responsible for your ability to stand erect and balance. Your back muscles keep you from leaning forward too much, and your abs subsequently keep you from bending over backwards!
Both the back and abdominal muscles have similar roles.
They support the weight of your upper body, allow you to bend and twist, and also assume the greater strain of lifting and carrying heavy loads! But most importantly they assume the role of ‘core muscles’.
Your center of gravity lies here. Without these muscles you would have no center of gravity. You would flop around like a rag doll! When your body encounters instability through external sources, i.e.; tripping, slipping on ice, it is your core that stabilizes you and keeps you upright by tightening and flexing where it needs to to bring you back to your center of gravity.
So as you can imagine, it is vitally important to keep both sets of these muscles in optimum shape!
However, many people focus a great deal on their abs because they want that sexy six pack, which is great. But by neglecting the back muscles, the much stronger abs can actually cause one to adopt a slightly ‘slouched’ posture. This can also put a great deal of strain on the back, and is the often the actual cause of many types of back pain, even sciatica.
And so it is equally important to focus our strength training on this region as well for optimal spinal and pelvic health. I often recommend ‘whatever you do for the front, you do for the back’, giving equal attention to this ‘core’ region overall!
There are an untold number of fitness books, videos, articles, routines and classes available to help shape and strengthen this region specifically. As well, we have all become very familiar with the wonderful exercise ball.
This simple inflatable device provides innumerable options and levels of difficulty for strengthening and conditioning your core region through providing an ‘unstable’ environment that stimulates your core to ‘act’ in order to stabilize yourself. In this way your core becomes stronger and you gain a more reactive sense of balance.
So there you have it! With a greater understanding of core training and all the benefits it brings you are on you way to a healthier more stable posture, and a stronger, more attractive midsection!
Click here to read my article about the best exercises for building a stronger core!
