What Is Your Core?

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It seems these days that everyone is interested in strengthening their "core". The wonderful people of the popular media have ingrained in everyone that your core is your 6-pack ab muscle called your Rectus Abdominis. THIS IS NOT YOUR CORE! Your core involves all the muscles that attach to your spine or lumbo-pelvic complex that help keep you upright.

These include your traditional abdominal and oblique muscles but also include many of the muscles in your back and legs, mostly your Gluteus Maximus (glutes). Many people that have lower back issues think they need to work their abdominals more to alleviate the pain, but often times they end up hurting their back more than helping it.

Why? Doing crunches and sit-ups put a large amount of stress on your lumbar (lower) spine and offer the least benefit to your abdominal muscles. I will admit, for a while I performed abdominal exercises just like everyone else. Exercises like V-ups, Bicycles, Leg Raises, Toe Touches etc. You must be careful with these exercises because if they are performed incorrectly, they can cause harm to your lower back in the long run. However, you still should work your abdominal muscles to help keep them strong and to help stabilize you.

So how do you build a strong core? If you want to build a strong core, you must pay extra attention to your back and leg muscles. Using multi-joint exercises like Deadlifts, Squats, Bent-Over Barbell Rows, One Arm Dumbbell Rows, etc... also involve stabilizing your abdominal muscles as well and you should feel like you are getting a good ab workout while performing these exercises.

Using a TRX Suspension Trainer is another fantastic tool to help you build core strength and help you move more efficiently. Before jumping in and doing these exercises, you MUST talk to a certified, experienced trainer before attempting any of these exercises. Really do your research and find out how qualified and experienced your trainer really is before committing, there are a large amount of trainers out there that still do not really understand how to use a TRX Suspension Trainer correctly.

You only have one body so take care of it! Make sure that you build a strong core the RIGHT way to help avoid or alleviate lower back problems. Having a strong core will also help your body move efficiently and in the way it was intended to move!

If you are interested in learning more about a program that develops your core, visit Todd and http://www.fitbodytoddyfitness.com and Contact Todd to get started!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_A_Brown



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