The core, for the human body it is like the suspension to a car. Every move from bending over to pick something up to running across a parking lot because you’re running late for work starts with a person’s core. The core complex is made up of the abdomen, hip region, back, and chest, boasting a total of over twenty different pairs of muscles.
While you may think of the core as those movie star ripped ruffles on a person’s stomach there is much more to it!
The core from the inside out, includes the diaphragm, the muscles in the pelvic floor, the muscles that wrap around the hip complex, the gluteal muscles as well as the rectus abdominis, the outer layer people tend to see. Having a strong core throughout every aspect is beneficial to everyone.
Balance and stability
One of the most important benefits of strengthening your core is increased balance and stability. Your core plays a huge role in stabilizing the spine and pelvis — this means that any activity you do from walking to sitting depends on the core and its ability to function. Your core also aids in keeping your posture straight and your hips in a neutral position. Since your core makes up the center of the human body and stabilizes the spine, all movements pass through it. The idea here is a fully functioning core consists of muscles that can work not just independently but together to stabilize and support the human body.
Injury prevention
As I’ve said above, with a strong core, comes good posture. When your core muscles are fully functional and strong, they enable you to keep your body upright. Having good posture can help you with activities such as sitting or standing for long periods of time without experiencing low back or hip pain. Another great benefit to improving overall core strength is the prevention of injuries. Whether you are an athlete or just a busy person on the go, a strong core will help to minimize the strain on crucial muscle groups and joints. An interesting fact, muscles that make up your core will help during activities such jogging or jumping, which, in turn, protects your joints.
A great way to improve your core is to start working on it! There are so many different exercises and routines to do so. For space purposes, I have just a few listed below:
- Planks
- Side Planks
- Hip/Glute Bridges
- Pelvic Tilts
- Bird Dog
Conclusion
Well folks there you have it, a strong core can yield a great outcome in many ways. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in day but they worked on it every day to get it to where it is today. Building a strong core can take time, but if you make a point to work on it, you may be surprised by the results. If you have any questions or feel you need help, whether it be core training or helping with an old injury we would be happy to help you here at Venture!
by Dustin Holler, CPT, CES
