Get Your Core On!

Here is the most used term in fitness right now…CORE Training!

You see it popping up everywhere. You may be wondering, what is it and what is all the hype about? Just imagine tapping into your own body’s power house.

The Core is comprised of your back muscles, all 3 abdominal muscles as well as the hip and pelvis. By training your core, you strengthen the area of your body that is responsible for:

• improve strength, flexibility and balance
• challenge deep abdominal muscles to support the core
• engage the mind and enhance body awareness
• condition efficient patterns of movement making the body less prone to injury
• reduce stress, relieve tension and boost energy through deep stretching
• restore postural alignment
• create stronger more flexible spine
• promote recovery from strain or injury
• increase joint range of motion
• tone and build long lean muscles without bulk
• improve circulation
• heighten neuromuscular co-ordination
• relief from back pain and joint stress
• correct over training of muscle groups which can lead to stress and injury
• enhance mobility, agility and stamina
• improve the way your body looks and feels
• coordinating movements between upper and lower body with more ease

You probably also heard of Functional Training and how everyone is incorporating it into their workout routines either at the gym, or on their own with a personal trainer. Functional training is full body exercises that closely relates to everyday movements and the natural flow of the human body. It incorporates power and stamina but mostly works on strengthening and activating the Core.

Have you seen some of the professional league training sessions…big muscle guys kneeling on stability balls and throwing around smaller medicine balls to work their obliques? Well, it is a sight and I commend them. They understand the benefits of having a strong core and the connection to bettering their game through control and strength. Your body is only as strong as your weakest link and a body working together as a package, will only make you stronger.

Form after all, is the most important aspect of properly working the core. If you do not incorporate good posture to your movements, it is very easy to hurt yourself. Your back needs the support when doing such things as abdominal and compound exercises.

Doing weight lifting without thinking of the core diminishes your benefits and can put you at risk for serious injuries. Once your core gets stronger you will only see benefits. You will find it easier to lift weights with the proper form, as well as the added benefits of less back pain. You will also have more ease and strength doing everyday movements and sports as well as performing to demanding jobs.

Above all, the benefits are staggering and I will touch base on more, through additional articles. The best piece of advice I can leave you with, is to please make sure you contact a certified personal trainer or a Pilates Instructor, if you are unsure of how to incorporate core training into your routine.

Until next time.