What are my core muscles?

The term 'core stability' is being used with increasing frequency when concerned with exercise rehabilitation and back and neck strengthening. So what does it mean and what does it involve?

Your spine provides the supporting frame for the trunk of your body. Attached to this frame is a complex system of nerves, muscles and ligaments that increase its strength and stability.

Most of us are familiar with the six pack muscles known as the rectus abdominis. When we do sit ups, they are the muscles that we are strengthening. When we do sit ups to the side, we strengthen the oblique muscles.

However, underlying all of this and not visible to the eye are some very deep muscles which are largely responsible for your balance, stability and your posture.

Where are my core muscles?
Because you can't see them it can make it somewhat challenging to strengthen them, but it is possible to feel them. Using two fingers, press firmly against your hip or pelvis. Now turn your head and cough. When you cough, you should be able to feel something pressing against your fingertips. This is your transversus abdominis.

This is one of the key muscles that will give you core strength and stability. If your core is strong, you are less likely to develop back and neck problems.

The benefits of core stability
The main benefits of core exercises are to improve posture, develop a toner, fitter, stronger, healthier and balanced body and to recover faster from back and neck pain. Having a strong core and healthier back and neck provides the individual to be more physically active. This in turn could improve general health, lower the chance of developing osteoporosis and enhance the quality of life.

Core muscles and spinal stability
Poor spinal stability in everyday activities such as picking up an object off the floor, is a dominant factor in spinal injury. The term “core stability” is being used with increasing frequency in relation to exercise rehabilitation and back and neck strengthening. The goal of core stability training is to increase the functional strength and static endurance of the trunk muscles to provide stability for the spine when performing everyday tasks. Core exercises help to improve functional capacity and empower individuals and give them autonomy over their pain management, inadvertently helping to prevent chronic re-injury.

The core stability muscle group
Core stability is primarily concerned with strengthening the deep trunk muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, abdominal obliques, paraspinal and pelvic floor muscles. Other important muscles include the gluteus maximus and medius. These muscles are commonly weak or provide little stability in the general population and consequently it has been postulated that they play an important role as a cause of back and neck pain.

Begin your core exercises and achieve great results in the privacy and comfort of your home!
Having identified the key core muscles and how they act, the next step is to establish how best to train these muscles. The 10 Minute Core Strength™ program focuses on training your body to perform its daily tasks with ease, alignment, flexibility and strength. This program offers you all the benefits of pilates exercises plus much more!

You are only a step away from starting an exciting journey in developing a toner, fitter, stronger, healthier and balanced body.

Start your program TODAY!

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True Balance - Core Strength, Pilates Yoga DVD Back Pain Exercise