Why train core muscles?
You have probably heard the term ‘core’ numerous times in a gym and fitness environment. But what is core? Any why do people keep banging on about it?
This blog post will hopefully answer those questions.
WHAT IS CORE TRAINING?
The core is situated in your midsection and it involves all your muscles in that area including the front, back and sides. The core includes the traverse abdominals (TVA), erector spinae, obliques and your lower lats.
The muscles mentioned stabilise the body. By exercising the core muscles, you prevent your risk of injury as your body will become more stable.
If any of these core muscles are weakened, it could result in lower back pain. Keeping these core muscles strong can do wonders for your posture and help give you more strength in other exercises like running and walking.
WHY CORE TRAINING?
Core workouts are huge in the fitness industry. Some classes are even focused specifically on the core muscles. So why is this area of the body receiving so much attention? The answer……. humans are increasingly becoming more and more sedentary.
Office jobs, where we sit for up to nine hours a day. Also the amount we drive nowadays results in a lot more sitting. Prolonged sitting and no exercise weakens the muscles of your midsection.
Early humans didn’t need to work out core muscles, as their intensive daily lifestyle was sufficient for strengthen and stabilise their bodies.
The fitness industry has recognised how much sitting we do each day, and has set about trying to help people keep their bodies strong. Keeping the torso strong is important because it is the body’s center of power.
WHO IS CORE TRAINING FOR?
Training the core is advisable for absolutely EVERYONE!!
By working and keeping the bodys stabilising muscles strong, it would not only improve athletic perfoirmance, but also day to day activities. Bending, reaching and twisting are movements we do every day. Activities such as tieing your shoe, or picking a box off a shelf are exercises that engage core muscles.
In conjunction with training the core, shedding a few pounds of excess fat from around the mid section is also a must. Carrying excess weight around the belly can ruin your posture and weaken the muscle of your lower back. To remove that fat, follow a healthy eating plan and limit your calories and carbohydrate intake.
BENEFITS OF CORE TRAINING!
If you are lifting heavy weights you will need a strong core. Heavy squats, deadlifts and barbell rowing give the core a challenging workout by themselves. But make sure to also work your obliques and other core muscles individually to increase your core strength.
The added benefit of incorporating a new and challenging workout to your routine can enhance your overall progress by igniting newly developed motivation.
If your training has started to wane, and you are lacking motivation, a good mid section workout is exactly what is needed to re ignite the spark and love for training.
Another major incentive for a strong core is the resulting abdominals that end up on show, or the ‘6 pack’ as it is better known. You can achieve a ‘6 pack’ by combining core training and by losing body fat.
Stay Strong!!