Core strength...and why you're possibly getting it wrong...

Now, unless you've been living under a rock, you will have heard the term "core strength" repeatedly...whether it be in infomercials, on The Biggest Loser, or at your chiropractor's office. 


So, what is it?? 


And why is it so crucial??


Core strength is basically the muscular stabilisation that allows your body to undertake everyday tasks, such as lifting, twisting and bending. So, working on your core strength will help you perform these tasks more efficiently, and with a decreased risk of injury.


Now, core strength does involve the abdominal muscles (namely the rectus abdominus, internal and external obliques, and the deep musculature of the transverse abdominus) but it also involves the hip flexors (psoas, pectineus and rectus femoris), hip extensors (hamstrings and gluts) and some muscles of the back (erector spinae and multifidus).

I'll tell you now - your sit-ups aren't going to exercise all of those muscles...and not all of those muscles will need exercise...


I hear so many people talk about "the plank" as the exercise to do...and you know what?? It does help, but it's a very very long way from the whole picture...the plank really only fires rectus abdominus (the six-pack muscles) and transverse abdominus. And if you happen to have an overactive psoas muscle, I don't care how long you can hold the plank for - you're not going to correct it...


So, how do you solve this puzzle and know which core strength exercises are for you?? Well, you ask...preferably, ask someone with the knowledge and training behind them and who has taken the time to assess your physical state. Core strength isn't just about exercises, it also involves stretching of overactive muscles and the correct balancing of agonist and antagonist muscles. 


My point is - core strength is not a simple matter, it involves a thorough assessment and the application of the correct exercises and stretches. This means, in my opinion, if you want to know - consult your chiro...