Core Stability Exercises -- How To Get Solid Fast
Core strengthening exercises and core stability exercises are essential to your general health, and to your workout program.
Twist. Turn. Bend over. Sit all day. Get in and out of the car. Carry those groceries. We put our back through all kinds of stuff, and it never complains. Or does it? If we're out of shape in our core muscles, our back will let us know pretty quick. The core muscles support the lower back and internal organs, and if we stop taking care of them, like most of us have, we are in for some soreness and more and more days of pain the longer we let it go on.
And our workout routines become ever more risky; we always are on the edge of straining our back.
So we know we need to do some core strengthening exercises, but what are some good ones?
* Pilates. You can do any Pilates routine and you will come out ahead. I've used Pilates for years to keep the old middle tight and strong. Pilates has a sort of "girls only" reputation for some reason, but take it from me, guys; this is serious exercise.
* The Farmer's Walk. This is really a whole body exercise, but your core will work real hard, as will your back, legs, arms and hands. Just go pick up two very heavy dumbbells, and carry them over to the other side of the room and back again. Maybe another time. Your core will work overtime to keep you balanced and stable.
* The Wood Chopper. Grab a medicine ball. Hold it over your head and off to one side. Now swing it down and over toward your opposite foot, like you were chopping wood. Then swing it back on the same line. Repeat several times, and switch sides. Be sure to engage your hips and legs to keep your back fairly straight. That makes it harder.
* Saxon Bends. Ooh baby. If you do these right, they can be tough. Grab a weight plate, and hold it over your head (standing). Now sway over to the right, being careful not to bend forward or backward. Go as far as you can and still stay stable. Now go back over to the other side. Once you get back to the center, that's one rep.
You can incorporate these exercises in your regular workout. Put 'em in the middle, use them as a warmup (they are great for warming up and getting away from the treadmill), or do them at the end. Or devote a whole workout just to core strengthening exercises; your body will thank you! - 17273
Twist. Turn. Bend over. Sit all day. Get in and out of the car. Carry those groceries. We put our back through all kinds of stuff, and it never complains. Or does it? If we're out of shape in our core muscles, our back will let us know pretty quick. The core muscles support the lower back and internal organs, and if we stop taking care of them, like most of us have, we are in for some soreness and more and more days of pain the longer we let it go on.
And our workout routines become ever more risky; we always are on the edge of straining our back.
So we know we need to do some core strengthening exercises, but what are some good ones?
* Pilates. You can do any Pilates routine and you will come out ahead. I've used Pilates for years to keep the old middle tight and strong. Pilates has a sort of "girls only" reputation for some reason, but take it from me, guys; this is serious exercise.
* The Farmer's Walk. This is really a whole body exercise, but your core will work real hard, as will your back, legs, arms and hands. Just go pick up two very heavy dumbbells, and carry them over to the other side of the room and back again. Maybe another time. Your core will work overtime to keep you balanced and stable.
* The Wood Chopper. Grab a medicine ball. Hold it over your head and off to one side. Now swing it down and over toward your opposite foot, like you were chopping wood. Then swing it back on the same line. Repeat several times, and switch sides. Be sure to engage your hips and legs to keep your back fairly straight. That makes it harder.
* Saxon Bends. Ooh baby. If you do these right, they can be tough. Grab a weight plate, and hold it over your head (standing). Now sway over to the right, being careful not to bend forward or backward. Go as far as you can and still stay stable. Now go back over to the other side. Once you get back to the center, that's one rep.
You can incorporate these exercises in your regular workout. Put 'em in the middle, use them as a warmup (they are great for warming up and getting away from the treadmill), or do them at the end. Or devote a whole workout just to core strengthening exercises; your body will thank you! - 17273
About the Author:
Eryk Helms is resolved to living a fitness-oriented lifestyle, and helping others to do so as well. His Core Strengthening Exercises site has lots of great resources for improving core strength, and for a limited time you can get a complimentary copy of "Perfect Posture In 30 Days" by visiting http://www.squidoo.com/core-strengthening-exercises.
posted by X - Men at
12:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home