Kitchener Personal Trainer

Everyone knows by now that they need to strengthen their core. But do you know why? Do you know what the core comprises of. You may think you don’t need this information but you do so you know exactly what you are strengthening and why. The core comprises the Abdominals, Obliques, Back, Butt, and Hips, basically anything but the legs and arms! So why do we need to strengthen the core? Well we actually need the core strong first before we do anything else. This is because the core is your powerhouse. If it’s not strong you won’t be able to do stuff like Squats, Lat Pulldowns, Deadlifts, Running, Swimming, you name it without pain. You can do these exercises without a strong core but you will feel pain, mostly in the lower back and at the top of your hip. 

This leads me to some exercises you can do to help strengthen the core and stabilize it as well. Here are 11 exercises to build and strengthen your core….

Abdominal Bracing

The beauty of this exercise is that you can do this anywhere. You can stand or sit. Basically you just pull your naval in toward your spine and hold. Do not hold your breath while doing this. Breathe! Repeat this a few times. You can do this exercise as many times throughout the day as you want.

The Plank

Everyone knows this one! There are modifications to this exercise. You can either do this full or on your elbows. Try and hold for as long as you can without breaking form.

Wood Chops With A Medicine Ball

This exercise helps strengthen your entire core from your abs to your obliques to your back. It’s an excellent exercise and if you’re not doing this one, you need to.

Bridge Lift 

Another really great exercise for the core. You will feel this predominantly in your Hamstrings and Glutes but it works the entire core.

Pushups

Pushups are usually known as an upper body exercise but in actual fact it is a full body exercise with a heavy focus on the core. This is one of those exercises that if you are going to do one exercise only this a great one!

Boat Pose

This exercise is a challenging one. Try and hold this pose as long as possible. You can even add some crunches to this exercise!

Knee Tucks On A Stability Ball

This is wonderful for strengthening your entire core but you will feel most of the effects in your Abdominals. These are kind of fun too!

These are just a few exercises that you can do to strengthen your core. If you haven’t thought about or paid enough attention to your core, start today. It is crucial if you want to avoid pain. You need to be strong in all areas and the core should be the first place to start.