Freakin' Fitness > Strong to the Core

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The old adage that you’re only as strong as your weakest link could not be more appropriate than when applied to the performance of your body. Guys like to do curls for the girls. And girls stress their thighs for the guys. But neither muscle group – although pretty in the mirror - will enhance athletic performance, prevent injury, or increase functional fitness. There is absolutely no single substitute for a core conditioning program.

The goal of core training is to strengthen the major muscle groups of your trunk that stabilize your skeletal frame – the abdominals, obliques, and erector spinae muscles. These core muscles lie deep within your torso and are literally the core foundation for all bodily movement. They stabilize your spine, pelvis, and shoulders to create a solid base of support and serve as a vital link between your upper and lower extremities.

One of the greatest benefits of core training for athletes and non-athletes alike is the development of a higher level of functional fitness – a fitness level that is essential to performing activities of daily living and athletic activities with less stress and strain. And the beauty of core training is that everyone can easily add this important conditioning component to their present fitness regime.

Rather than performing an ordinary strength training exercise like the biceps curls or quadriceps leg extensions, core training exercises involve using many muscles in a coordinated movement. For example, one of my core training routines involves the use of a stability ball. In addition to performing a dozen trunk strengthening exercises on the ball, I can also strengthen my biceps (and trunk) by doing bicep curls while sitting on the ball. And as an added benefit for those of you interested in losing weight, the more muscles you activate, the more calories you burn, and thus the more weight you lose.

My exercise regime requires me to strength train three times a week (aerobic conditioning is scheduled on the other four days). And since I like to incorporate variety into my workout, I usually insert core training exercises – using stability balls, medicine balls, wobble board, weighted wands, etc - throughout my fitness hour. But sometimes, I save my rock-and-roll trunk routine until the end. Either way, I never miss stimulating my core! -- PC