A strong core

Your core is a complex set of muscles, extending far beyond your abs or the so-called “six pack”. Major muscles included are the pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae and diaphragm.

Why is it so important to have a strong core? 

While it may be good motivation, rocking a beach-worthy bod isn’t the only reason to get your torso in shape. After all, your core is about more than just your ab muscles - it’s your body’s powerhouse.

Not only does it facilitate movement, but it also houses your inner organs and central nervous system. In other words, it helps you do just about everything. Here are five reasons to strengthen your core.

1. Help prevent injuries

Even though it’s easy to presume that when we’re moving, our extremities do most of the work, the opposite is true: most movement starts at the center of our bodies and moves outward. A rock-solid core will help ensure that your movements are strong and pain-free.

2. Protect your inner organs and central nervous system

Staying healthy also means protecting those vital systems below the surface. Your core is not only where your organs and central nervous system do their busy-work, it’s also where your body’s largest (and most important) veins and arteries are based. Keeping strong core muscles will help ensure everything stays protected as you move through your day.

3. Strengthen your core for back pain

Building core strength will help bring balance to the front and back of your body. Sitting at a desk all day doesn’t help. Many people make the mistake of sitting for long periods with a tilted pelvis and an arched back, rather than sitting tall on their “sit bones”. To work your core at the office you should sit on a stability ball rather than a traditional chair, because the sense of instability and the movement it creates forces your abdomen to stay engaged.

4. Get a strong, confident posture

If your core is strong, you’ll be hard pressed not to carry yourself with confidence. “A tall, upright posture exudes strength - it gives the impression that this person is in control of their life.” A slumped posture, on the other hand, looks weak and defeated. 

5. You’ll feel better

Not only will a strong, healthy body turn heads on the beach, you’ll feel great, too. Once you’ve developed your core stability, you can start working on the more superficial core muscles to build strength you’ll be able to see.