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Your
core is responsible for all movement, stabilization and transfer of
energy in your body. The muscles that make up your core are
responsible for everything from good posture to bladder control. And
yes, improved performance in the bedroom.
Did
you know a major cause of low back pain is an imbalance of core
strength and flexibility?
A
strong core is essential for maximum efficiency of power and
movement.
If
you are an athlete, kicking a ball, throwing a punch, or running a
marathon a weak core will detract from your performance. Or maybe
you are just active with every day activities such as picking up the
baby and raking the lawn. A strong well-balanced core will ensure
ease of movement, increasing confidence and quality of life.
The
significant benefits of proper core training increase the proficiency
to any activity you are involved in. This is because the area around
your trunk and pelvis is where your center of gravity is located,
your center of stability. A strong core gives you:
Better
posture
More
control
Improved,
more powerful performance
Injury
prevention and rehabilitation
Increased
protection and "bracing" for your back
A
more stable center of gravity
A
more stable platform for sports movements
When
you have good core stability, the muscles in your pelvis, lower back,
hips and abdomen work harmoniously providing important support to
your spine, maximizing power transition for just about any activity.
What
and where is your core?
When
I ask people where their core is and how to strengthen it most
respond with “oh, those are my abdominal muscles. I do crunches and
leg lifts to strengthen them and develop my six pack.”
Your
core actually consists of many muscle groups working together. The
internal and external oblique, transverses abdominis, rectus
abdominis, psoas major, quadratus lumborum, and the spinalis group
are the primary muscles making up your core.
For
the purpose of complete development it would be wise to include the
gluteus muscles and hamstrings, hip flexors, rhomboids, trapizius,
latissimus dorsi, and the seratus group.
So
what constitutes a well-developed core?
You
may feel that because you can perform 200 crunches, 150 pikes or 100
leg lifts with a medicine ball between your feet you have a
well-developed core. Not so. What you have is a core with great
muscular endurance, but that is only one component of a
well-developed synergistic core. Proper core training includes
muscular strength, muscular endurance, power and motor control.
Without these four components your core is not balanced and is
performing sub maximal. You are losing power in all your daily
activities as well as any sport you may participate in. Proper core
development is paramount to maximizing your potential and efficiency
of motion, not just for sports but also for all your daily
activities. Proper core training requires that you train your core
not just in a unidirectional manner but also in a multidirectional
fashion such as it is used in every day living. The entire core must
be trained each session, not just certain muscle groups. Synergism is
all-important in core training so as to eliminate all imbalances
between the many muscle groups that make up your core.
When
and how should you train your core?
When
depends on your level of fitness. Beginners, less than three months
training, should train their core no more than once or twice per
week. More advanced trainers, three months to less than two years of
training; three to four times per week is sufficient. For the elite
athlete the core may be trained every second day varying the
intensity with each session.
The
entire core should be trained each session. The core should be worked
in a multi directional fashion to ensure proper strength,
flexibility, and balance, between all the muscle groups. This method
of training also teaches the muscle groups to work synergistically as
needed, increasing coordination and power while decreasing reaction
time.
For
most of us the core should be worked using smooth continuous motions.
Any speed or ballistic drills are reserved for the elite athlete
only.
On
all extended motions it is imperative that the body be kept in a
neutral or plank position. As you perform your core exercises try to
draw your belly button in toward your spine and contract the gluteus
muscles. This will ensure proper stabilization and provide protection
for the low back.
Breathing
is extremely important for proper core development. For all movements
you will exhale during the contraction phase unless instructed to do
otherwise. Breathe deeply, this is very important. If someone else
is in the room they should have no trouble hearing you breathe. When
you breathe in try to feel your breath going all the way down to your
toes. When you exhale contract your core muscles hard and push all
the air out, this is essential.
When
following a proper core program you will notice results immediately.
So
how long does all this take if you have to train your entire core
each time? The answer may surprise you. Your entire core can be
trained effectively in ten minutes. That’s right, there are no
excuses. A better quality of life can be had for as little as ten
minutes a day a couple of times per week. Make
the decision to start today. You are worth it!!
