Although many people will incorporate core exercises into their fitness routines, many people are doing so for the benefit of a toned stomach and ripped abs. In truth, good core training is necessary for almost any activity, from sports and exercise to just walking and sitting upright. This means that core exercises are integral to everything that you do.
Frequently, people associate working on the core as only being focused on the abdomen. In truth, core muscles wrap around the entire midsection and include the rhomboids, obliques, and even parts of the gluteal muscles. If you think of the core as the foundation, you also realize that your upper and lower body strength is also coming from the power of this area. A strong core is not for show, it's for life.
The Real Benefits Of Core Strengthening
Once you understand how every muscle in the body is connected through the function of the core, you can also begin to focus on how attention to the full wrap of the muscles in integral for strength and health. Some of the lesser thought of benefits of core strengthening include:
• Prevention of injury through body stabilization
• Better balance
• Greater power to the arms and legs
• Better breathing capacity
• Improved posture
• Enhanced muscle integration
While chiseled abs are a welcome by-product of core strengthening, they are really just the icing on the cake when you consider all the factors that are involved.
The most effective core strengthening workouts will engage all of the muscles in this middle band, and will focus on front and back strength, as well as flexibility. This means that deep muscles and adjoining muscle groups are also activated to keep you safe in all of your activities. Variations such as standing core workouts, mat workouts, and plank exercises can accomplish this effectively, and also engage the rest of the body. So don't just focus on the six pack, focus on your whole midsection for real improvements.