Exercises To Improve Core Strength

Core strength is the new buzz term in the physical fitness industry

. It seems everyone has agreed that the body is an integrated circuit and that everything starts and ends with the core. Poor core strength is blamed for everything from bad backs, to dodgy hamstrings and sore necks. The days of lying on the floor and doing sit up after sit up are over. In fact, most personal trainers dont allow their clients to perform sit ups this way anymore for risk of back injuries. A decent PT will incorporate core into every exercise you do, so there is no need for isolation. So lets look at the gadgets that are out there to help strengthen the core.

Stability/Swiss/Fit/Exercise Ball

Known by many names, this piece of equipment has nearly unlimited uses. In fact some people use it instead of an office chair! A firm, inflatable sphere, it is usually used for abdominal exercises, requiring the user to balance on the ball face up, while contracting into forward or side crunches. Similar exercises can target other muscle groups. The ball is also used in connection with balance and weight training. It's great to pair the ball with weights for a core workout with a difference. Unfortunately many gyms are outlawing these balls now due to insurance issues.

Bosu

Literally stands for both sides up. It is circular and flat on one side and has an inflatable half sphere on the other side. Again it has many uses. More stable than a fit ball and therefore should definitely be in your local gym. The back is well supported by the Bosu and weights and/or medicine balls can be incorporated easily into the core workout.

Ab Wheel

A rubber-enforced wheel with handles that promises to tone and strengthen abdominal muscles when you grip the knobs and roll into a plank position on the ground from your knees, then roll back again. There is a transfer of a lot of stress from the shoulders and lower back into a single wheel with two hands. As it lacks a brake mechanism, the risk for injury is greater, especially to the lower back.

Ab Roller

Shaped roughly like a letter C when viewed from the side, the ab roller includes a headrest to support the head and neck during crunches. The user lies on his or her back, grabs hold of the top device and then rolls into a crunch. Over recruitment of lats, pecs and triceps instead of the abs to curl the upper body toward the hips can limit the effectiveness of this equipment.

by: byron

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