Everybody wants a strong core, right? When people think about having a strong core they always think of the stereotypical six pack abs. This is both right and wrong, just having a six pack does not mean you are strong, or even have a strong core. Furthermore, just because someone has a gut doesn’t mean they don’t have a strong core. Think about a powerlifter, they all have these huge guts, but can deadlift, squat, and bench more than most people. Why is that? It’s because they have a solid core!
It is important to train both core stability (the deep muscles), and core strength (the six pack). When you work on both aspects of core stability and core strength, your overall fitness level will improve making you less prone to injury in the future. Having a strong core can also help with back pain. When we are imbalanced and our back muscles are stronger than our core you may have back pain. This could be due to the fact that you sit at a desk all day at work and are slouched over, causing the core muscles to be at a constant relaxed state. If you are stuck at a desk all day try to be mindful of sitting tall. This will cause your abdominals to be turned on and to counter act the imbalances you may have.
Having a strong core will also help you with your posture. Again think about the way you sit at that desk, which may be the same way you walk around all day, shoulders rounded slouched over. This is not a posture that has confidence. Strengthening the core will cause you to walk tall, chest up, and shoulders back. When you look confident, you feel confident. When you walk around slouched over you look weak and defeated. If you need help with sitting up straight, try this every time you check the time, make sure you are sitting with good posture, if not correct it.
Lastly, another reason to work the core, you can look great with your shirt off. How much more confident would you be going to the beach if when you ripped that shirt off everyone saw a tone strong core? Besides the health benefits, why else do we work out? To look great with our shirt off!