subject: The Abdominal Core - Developing a Strong Core [print this page] You might have noticed the latest craze the fitness magazines have started to pronounce, this craze being developing a strong core. Most people think the core is interchangeable with the word abs, which is a common misconception.
Your core is generally related to everything between your pecs and your thighs. Major muscle groups include your abs, obliques, lower back, hip flexors, and glutes. For this reason, developing core balance and stability is the most important concept of your body when it comes to developing all other muscle groups. This section is where you draw all your power, strength, balance and stability. Although it is the command center for all those categories, this article will focus on complete core strength and advice on how to begin developing a strong core.
I like to refer to the core as the little engine within a well-oiled machine. Think of your core as a rolling ball within your stomach that allows the rest of your body to move in the direction that you choose, the command center for balance and stability which spreads through the rest of your body.
Simply put, developing a strong core involves anything that deals with holds, planks, and isolation that initiates core balance and stability. Any position that causes your body to shake or feel like collapsing is putting stress on the muscles directly related to your core. A few basic positions to help you get started are the extended pushup position, plank, reverse plank, and laying either on your stomach or back and lifting your hands and feet 3-6 inches off the ground. These are all basic exercises for core development, once you've mastered these use your imagination to create different exercises to increase core balance and stability.
Yoga is one of the best exercises for core development. Most people disagree with this simply because there are many expert yoga teachers who seem not to have any visible external abs. But you have to remember, your core extends much further beyond just the abs. To develop entire core strength, yoga is one of the best methods to create isolation holds to engage the entire core.
My biggest advice in developing a strong core is not to forget how vast of an area your core effects. The little things such as exercising your lower back can indirectly influence and increase core balance and stability.
