Core Strength
Core Strength
“Beach Body! 500 Crunches per Day! Killer Core!â€
During the spring season when clothing departments are readying their summer collection, most advertisements remind you that the beach season is fast approaching. Everyone needs those ‘chiseled’ abs and bikini bodies to feel confident when at the beach. Many exercise companies feature their programs using similar methods. They tell you that you ‘only’ need to do a simple 500 crunches per day to get the results you’re looking for. All of the emphasis is on the abs. But in all of the advertisements and superficial marketing, who ever talks about the importance of the core? It is more than just a part of one’s body you should show off if you’re lucky enough to have the genetics, diet, and consistent exercise routines to develop that coveted six-pack.
Importance of Core Strength
What exactly is the core? Is it that part of your body that can make your stomach look flat? That certainly plays a part, but it is not only composed of your abdominal muscles. It includes the back and pelvic floor muscles as well. The core aids in the support and protection of all the body parts connected to the spine. Ultimately this determines and enables good posture. Along with protecting the spinal cord, the core protects vital inner organ and important areas of the nervous and circulatory systems. Additionally, the body’s center of gravity lies within the abdomen. Therefore strength in this area can dramatically improve balance. Abdominal strength can dramatically decrease back pain. Through the plasticity and compensatory elements of our body, force us to rely more on our back muscles, overworking them. This increases the chance of injury.
How to Strengthen Your Core
There are various trunk stability and tests as well as common and simple strengthening exercises. These include crunches, planks, side planks, push ups, deadlifts, and knees to chest while hanging from a bar. Many people get bored with planks and crunches, however. If that is the case for you, other core bodyweight exercises are a fun option! Ask your chiropractor for new and interesting ways to challenge your work out.
Here is a GREAT and surprisingly challenging core exercise demonstrated by Andrew and Rose
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