In many of my workouts, you’ll hear me encourage you to “engage or activate your core” during a movement. And maybe you instinctually suck in your stomach when you hear that command, thinking that’s what I mean. But your core is about so much more than your upper abdominals! The muscles of the core include:
Abdominals & Obliques
Lower Back (quadratus lumborum)
Erector Spinae & multifidus (muscles connected to your spine)
Pelvic floor muscles
Glutes
Diaphragm
Signs of a weak core can include back pain, poor posture, and difficulty performing core exercises for long periods. If you’re looking to strengthen your core, it does include ab training but it also includes strengthening your pelvic floor, glutes, hips & back.
The benefits of a developing a strong core include:
Helps prevent injury
Reduces & prevents pain
Improves balance
Improves posture
Improves exercise form, which supports both strength training & cardio workouts & increases gains from exercise
Looking to improve your core strength? I’ve got you covered! Try these basic core exercises:
Glute Bridges
Bird Dogs
Basic crunch & Bicycle crunches
Supine ( your back) toe taps
Want more? Check out these core workout videos: