Your core muscles include your abdomen, pelvis, lower back, and hips. Anybody that knows me personally knows that, frankly, my posture sucks! It very well could be genetic (thanks Dad), but it is most likely my utter lack of core strength. Let's face it childbirth does wonders to those abdominals, and I am living proof. So my mission is to sit up tall, stand up straight, and stengthen that core, baby! There are a number of ways to strengthen your core. Pilates, yoga, strength training, even a round of sit-ups and push-ups every morning will help you reach your goal. Everybody can benefit from a stronger core. Here's some of the benefits:
Better Posture
When all of your core muscles have the strength to work optimally and have practice working in conjunction together most all physical activity will be easier, including holding yourself upright. Those with a strong core tend to sit and stand taller. Another added benefit would be people won't mistaken you for pregnant when you absolutely are not!
Prevent Injury
When you’re core muscles are weak, you are open to muscle, nerve, and joint injury. Strengthen your core to prevent injury and to reduce common lower back aches and pains. Let's just cross our fingers that I do not sustain an injury in this quest for posture perfection.
Sit Comfortably
A strong core may mean your abs, pelvis, hips, and lower back are in shape, but there is a ripple effect on the rest of your body. Your spine will be better supported by your strong core, which means your upper back and neck will have less tension and pain. Similarly, your sitting bones are more likely to be aligned properly with a strong core, which means sitting in a car, in a movie theater seat, on a bleacher, or at home on your couch will be more comfortable. Essentially, you've gotta stop slouching!
Toned Midsection
While doing sit ups every day won’t guarantee a six pack in six months, it can help get you there. Core muscle training in combination with regular cardio activity and a diet low in sugar (I'm sooo sorry, but that is the truth) will help you tone down that midsection.
Better Balance
A strong core leads to good balance and stability, two traits all athletes need to swing, throw, shoot, kick, run, swim, or bike well.
An Easier Pregnancy
Nothing makes pregnancy easy, but if you have a strong core before pregnancy and continue to exercise your core during pregnancy (with your doctor’s guidance), expecting moms can hope to ease pain and difficulty during labor and delivery (the epidural worked quite well for me too). A strong core will help to prevent over separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis) during pregnancy as well, this I would have liked to have known before mine were all shot to hell.
Exercise in Front of the TV
This is weak, I know, but if I can trick myself into doing my core exercises while my favorite program is on, then I'm going for it. I've found particular success in watching NBC's Biggest Loser while working out. Most core exercises don’t require equipment, just a little elbow room, shove the coffee table out of the way and get going. For me, it's a bit of a win-win in my super busy life.
If you've got some tips you'd like to share, add a comment below, we'd love to hear about your favorite core exercise tips...
