Benefits of CORE STRENGTH TRAINING

I n the last decade, chances are strong competitive athletes, weekend warriors and men and women who routinely exercise have heard of workouts touting the benefits of core-strengthening exercises. Those unfamiliar with core training might think it’s just another exercise fad, unaware of the many practical benefits of a strong core.

To understand the benefits of core strength training exercise, it first helps to understand what such exercises are and dispel a common misconception about core training. People unfamiliar with core strength training may mistakenly believe it’s merely a way to sculpt toned abdominal muscles. While core training focuses on muscles in the abdomen, it does not do so exclusively. Proper core strength training focuses on the body’s entire core, including the hips, back and chest as well as the abdomen.

The following are three significant ways that athletes and non athletes alike can benefit from core strength training.

1. Improved balance

While working muscles in the hips, abdomen and back, core strength training is training these muscles to function as a more cohesive unit. This can improve balance, which can prove especially beneficial to aging men and women who may feel like they are losing some of their coordination.

2. Uniformity of muscles

Men and women who adhere to more traditional strength training workouts may notice certain muscle groups develop more than others, perhaps naturally or because they are willingly or subconsciously focusing on certain areas more than others. For example, a person who enjoys doing bicep curls might develop especially large biceps but may not focus as much on the muscles in his or her back. That can lead to muscular imbalances. Proper core strength training reduces the likelihood of such imbalances because the exercises focus collectively on a group of muscles, training these muscles to work together and developing them at the same pace.

3. Better posture

According to the online medical resource WebMD, core-strengthening exercises are the best way for men and women to improve their posture. That’s because some of the muscles worked during core training move the torso by flexing, extending or rotating the spine, while other muscles worked stabilize the pelvis and spine in a natural, neutral position. The Premier Sports and Spine Center notes that some of the benefits of good posture include lower injury risk, better alignment that can lower risk for arthritis and improved muscle health.

Core strength training exercises can pay various dividends that greatly improve adults’ overall health. –MC