When someone talks about the core, they're referring primarily to the muscles that lie deep within the abs and back, attaching to the spine or pelvis. Some of these muscles include the abdominal family (transverse, rectus and oblique abdominals), the muscles of the pelvic floor, the erector spinae and the latissimus dorsi - just to name a few.
These muscles are where movement originates and is the source of our stability. Whether you're running, lifting weights or picking up your toddler, these 'core' muscles help keep your body stable and balanced.
Training the muscles of the core also corrects postural imbalances that can lead to injuries. The biggest benefit of core training is to develop functional fitness - fitness that is essential to both daily living and regular activities.
With this focus on core strength, the fitness industry has moved towards training the body as a whole, rather than focusing on separate muscle groups. This means incorporating torso training throughout your workout, rather than just doing the usual basic crunches. This type of functional training can be seen everywhere as more people use things like Swiss and Bosu balls in their regular workouts.
Core training has many benefits including:
- More functional workouts that translate into daily life activities
- Improved performance in sports
- Reduction in the risk of injury
- Better ability to function each day
- Interesting workouts that challenge you in new and different ways
Our skilled Personal Trainers and Kinesiologist can build a personalized program to improve your core strength and stability. For more information on core strength and other fitness tips visit us at the MAC!