It’s no big surprise to most that when building a home, the foundation upon which it’s built is of supreme importance. Your entire house sits on it and if there is a problem with it, there will be problems with the soundness and safety of your home. This is also true from a fitness/wellness perspective. Your body is YOUR home and how well it functions is related to how good of a foundation it is built on. The foundation I am speaking of is your core- it is your central pillar of strength.
When speaking of the core, it is important to understand exactly what it is and what it does. In addition to your abdominal muscles, it also includes the muscles of your back and hips that work together to stabilize your spine and keep it in alignment. All of these muscles work together as the central links in chain that connect your upper and lower body. The main functions of the core are:
-
To stabilize a part of your body while another part produces power.
-
Provide shock absorption.
-
Maintain posture.
-
Give you the stability needed for dynamic movement. Movements that allow you to move in different directions, that is required for everyday life.
How well your body performs in all daily life activities is closely related to how strong and flexible your core is. Conversely, a poorly developed, weak and inflexible core is also closely related to how well your body can perform every day activities. The following excerpt from Harvard Health Publications clearly shows the “real-world benefits” of strengthening your core:
-
Everyday acts. Bending to put on shoes or scoop up a package, turning to look behind you, sitting in a chair, or simply standing still — these are just a few of the many mundane actions that rely on your core and that you might not notice until they become difficult or painful. Even basic activities of daily living — bathing or dressing, for example — call on your core.
-
On-the-job tasks. Jobs that involve lifting, twisting, and standing all rely on core muscles. But less obvious tasks — like sitting at your desk for hours — engage your core as well. Phone calls, typing, computer use, and similar work can make back muscles surprisingly stiff and sore, particularly if you’re not strong enough to practice good posture and aren’t taking sufficient breaks.
-
A healthy back. Low back pain — a debilitating, sometimes excruciating problem affecting four out of five Americans at some point in their lives — may be prevented by exercises that promote well-balanced, resilient core muscles. When back pain strikes, a regimen of core exercises is often prescribed to relieve it, coupled with medications, physical therapy, or other treatments if necessary.
-
Sports and other pleasurable activities. Golfing, tennis or other racquet sports, biking, running, swimming, baseball, volleyball, kayaking, rowing and many other athletic activities are powered by a strong core. Less often mentioned are sexual activities, which call for core power and flexibility, too.
-
Housework, fix-it work, and gardening. Bending, lifting, twisting, carrying, hammering, reaching overhead — even vacuuming, mopping, and dusting are acts that spring from, or pass through, the core.
-
Balance and stability. Your core stabilizes your body, allowing you to move in any direction, even on the bumpiest terrain, or stand in one spot without losing your balance. Viewed this way, core exercises can lessen your risk of falling.
-
Good posture. Weak core muscles contribute to slouching. Good posture trims your silhouette and projects confidence. More importantly, it lessens wear and tear on the spine and allows you to breathe deeply. Good posture helps you gain full benefits from the effort you put into exercising, too. (We have already hit on why posture is so important. Check it out here.)
By now it should be evident that it is so important for your wellness to have a strong, flexible core and you should be confident in knowing that your trainers here at Total Body Boot Camp take your core training seriously. All those fun, energy packed Team Training and Small Group Sessions always include serious core training exercises so that you get a well-balanced work out regimen.