You may have noticed that I joke a lot about wanting abs. But really, it’s not actually a joke, I would love to see my abs again one day, and I do probably more core exercises than I should as a result. But, as I wait for my abs to make an appearance, there are a lot of other benefits to building a strong core.
Since the pandemic, I haven’t been able to teach at my gym, but this week, class will once again be in session! I call my class “Hard Core” for many reasons. The first is because I think it’s funny! Second, because the movements we do are all aimed to start building and maintaining a rock-solid core. And then third, because, well, it’s challenging!
I really enjoy teaching this class and although it will look a little different given the social distancing and mask wearing, the benefits of working on your core remain the same. To get started, let’s all take a look at what you “core” actually is:
Do we see now? Your core isn’t just your abs. There are a lot more muscles that make up your core. In general, your core stabilizes your body. A stable body allows you to move in any direction and have proper balance. When your core is strong, it helps your body to function correctly, which is increasingly important as we age.
According to this article on Harvard Health Publishing, it says to “think of your core muscles as the sturdy central link in a chain connecting your upper and lower body.” In everyday life, no matter the movement, “the necessary motions either originate in your core, or move through it…Thus, weak or inflexible core muscles can impair how well your arms and legs function” making the thing we do daily more challenging.
So a strong core is essential to everyday life, even doing things like housework, sitting at your desk for hours and of course exercise. A strong core can also help prevent injuries, which, I mean, who has time to get injured? It can alleviate back pain, protect internal organs and improve posture! Building the foundation for a six-pack is icing on the cake if you ask me!
Functional fitness training is what my gym focuses on (and when I say “my gym,” I mean the gym my boyfriend owns that I go to and teach at, lol!) and it’s probably one of the most important things I’ve learned there. It’s about fitness that will help you in your everyday life and core training is a huge part of that. For some great core exercises you can do at home, check out my post “At Home Core Workout Using a Cushion” or visit this RealSimple article. Happy training!