subject: Core Stability Exercises To Save Your Back [print this page] Core Stability Exercises To Save Your Back
Your core is where all of the strength in your body originates from. Without it, we wouldn't be able to walk upright, sit, or lift anything. Adding some simple core stability exercises into your routine can really add lots of good benefits into your life. Aside from the fact that we need core strength just for everyday mobility: Many back problems can be easily avoided by strengthening your abdominal and lower back muscles, so they can work together to keep you upright.
Abdominal Core Stability Exercises
Any exercise that works to strengthen your abs will have an inevitable effect on your core strength. Most exercises that work your abs should involve a contraction to your abs (I.e., lying stomach crunches, seated stomach crunches, oblique twists, lying leg raises, hanging leg raises). Each exercise needs to be held for a 2 - 5 second pause in the crunch position, however the longer you hold each exercise in the finished position -- the more impact it will have on core stability. As you get stronger, it's perfectly fine to incorporate weights into the routine, either with leg raises or upper body core stability exercises for the abs.
Lower Back Core Stability Exercises
Just like you have to contract your abs to work them, you also have to contract your back muscles to strengthen them. The lower back is equally important for your core stability strength, even though the abs are the most popular core muscle group. Good core stability exercises for your back are: dead-lifts, various lower back extensions, hip flexor machine exercises, along with yoga (yoga is excellent for lower back strength and overall core conditioning).
Commercial Exercise Routines
Many commercially sold workouts feature core conditioning exercises also. The "300 Workout" developed for the cast members of the popular movie 300 with Gerard Butler made core conditioning a reality. Now Billy Blanks, Tony Little and many others have excellent core strengthening exercises built into their routines for your benefit.
