Your Core Is More Than Just Abs

You’ve heard how important it is to keep your core strong. But if you think that means tons of time on your back performing sit-ups and crunches, think again.

The core involves more than your abs — and needs a more engaging set of exercises to keep it in ship-shape.

It’s your entire midsection, including your hips and glutes. It is the foundation of your body, the area that directs all your movements. Your hips, abs and glutes all work together and provide support for your back. So, if the core is weak, it can lead to compensation, pain and injury.

You want to train your core so it can send necessary force to your limbs. And sit-ups and crunches aren’t the best way to do that. (Which is great, because they’re also boring and can strain your neck and back.)

Your abdominals absorb force and produce force, most times in a rotational pattern, so it’s good to train them that way. For instance, a chop will strengthen that rotational pattern, making it easier for you to do just about anything, like household chores and your tennis swing. The hips require more mobility, generating movement in multiple planes of motion.

Your core is a team of muscles, and we can show you how to work them together for better ease, power and protection from injury!

Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.