A strong core is essential for everything, from common daily tasks to athletic training. By building and then maintaining a strong core, you reduce your risks of injury and increase your agility and power. Core muscles help to transfer the power from the hips and legs into the arms as well as from the shoulders and arms into the hips and legs.
In a report by Princton University Athletic Medicine, the core is defined as, “several groups of muscles including the transversus abdominus, multifidus, diaphragm and pelvic floor muscles”. This grouping of muscles goes far beyond what you build during a traditional ab workout. These are back, abdominal, pelvic and gluteus muscles.
A strong core also helps you breathe better. If your diaphragm muscles are well-toned, you will naturally breathe better, since you’ll be breathing lower into your belly and not into your chest or shoulders.
Just how does core strength improve agility? When the core muscles are strong and trained to work together, your body can react to outside stimuli faster. You will be more aware of your body, where it is and what every part of it is doing.
Your posture will also improve as you improve your core strength. Your spine will be more centered in relation to its position in your body, making you stand and sit with straighter posture. This, in turn, also helps your walking and running form and stamina. With these muscles doing their job, the larger ones don’t have to. As you develop your core, you may also notice an improvement in energy and reduced fatigue throughout your day.
Unsure of how to best train and strengthen your core? Stop in the gym or set up an appointment with one of our knowledgeable trainers. They can assess your fitness level and determine which muscles are strong and which need more attention.