Core Workouts: What are they and Why are they Important
In today’s world almost anything you need or want can be facilitated by your phone or computer and delivered to you at home or be taken care of completely online. While this is very convenient and there are many benefits to such accessibility and ease to get stuff done, it also can take a toll on your body. Your core is taking the biggest hit in this case because of the massive role it plays in everyday activities including just sitting upright or bending over.
More than likely you have been told the importance of strengthening your core or that your workouts should include core training, but a lot of times this gets looked over and minimized beneath ab workouts and cardio while on the quest for that perfect 6-pack. So why are core workouts so important, and really what is a core workout? Let’s find out!
Core and Core Workout Defined
The core is your body’s central hub, it is located between the pelvic floor and diaphragm, and its main job is to hold and protect your spine. Your abdominal muscles are part of your core, but just one piece of the puzzle. The core muscles squeeze, or hug, the spine, almost like a hand would squeeze a tube of toothpaste, taking pressure off the body. These muscles, and there are many of them in this area of your musculature, work hard together to achieve balance in your spine.
A Core Workout is any exercise that involves the use of your abdominal and back muscles in coordinated fashion counts as a core exercise. For example, using free weights in a manner that involves maintaining a stable trunk can train and strengthen several of your muscles, including your core muscles. A bridge is another classic core exercise. Core exercises are also detrimental in having more defined abs and they work to strengthen and tone the underlying muscles.
Benefits of a Core Workout
A strong core enhances balance and stability. Thus, it can help prevent falls and injuries during sports or other activities. In fact, a strong, flexible core underpins almost everything you do:
Everyday Activities. Bending to put on shoes, 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.
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.
Housework. 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.
No matter where motion starts, it ripples upward and downward to adjoining links of the chain. Thus, weak or inflexible core muscles can impair how well your arms and legs function. And that saps power from many of the moves you make. Properly building up your core cranks up the power your body has to do any and everything necessary. Balloflex offers a fun and exciting way to take care of your necessary core exercises and it can be done by anyone, whether you are a gym regular or you don’t believe you can work out due to physical handicaps. Try a $10 monthly membership and you will be amazed at what this workout can do for your physical health!
