Core Strengthening Exercises -- Get a Solid Core Now!
Core strengthening exercises are one of the best foundations for good health, and will make your workout program much safer.
Twist. Turn. Bend over. Sit all day. Get in and out of the car. Carry those groceries. We put our back through all kinds of stuff, and it never complains. Or does it? If we're out of shape in our core muscles, our back will let us know pretty quick. The core muscles support the lower back and internal organs, and if we stop taking care of them, like most of us have, we are in for some soreness and more and more days of pain the longer we let it go on.
And our workout routines become ever more risky; we always are on the edge of straining our back.
OK, then, what are some really good core strengthening exercises to do?
* Pilates. You can do any Pilates routine and you will come out ahead. I've used Pilates for years to keep the old middle tight and strong. Pilates has a sort of "girls only" reputation for some reason, but take it from me, guys; this is serious exercise.
* The Farmer's Walk. Wait... the what? That's right, Farmer's Walk. Pick up two heavy somethings, like dumbbells, and walk across the room and then back again. You will work your arms, hands, shoulders, upper and lower back, legs, and your core " like crazy, just to keep upright and balanced.
* The Wood Chopper. Grab a medicine ball. Hold it over your head and off to one side. Now swing it down and over toward your opposite foot, like you were chopping wood. Then swing it back on the same line. Repeat several times, and switch sides. Be sure to engage your hips and legs to keep your back fairly straight. That makes it harder.
* Saxon Bends. These are tough. Take that ball again, or a weight plate if you need more weight, and hold it over your head. Now bend over to one side, without bending your back from front to back. You're just going side to side. When you've gone as far over as you can, head on over to the other side. Back to center again is one.
These exercises are a great warmup for a weight training workout. They'll warm up the whole body, and you can step away from the treadmill. Or, just devote a whole workout to core strengthening exercises; your back will thank you! - 17274
Twist. Turn. Bend over. Sit all day. Get in and out of the car. Carry those groceries. We put our back through all kinds of stuff, and it never complains. Or does it? If we're out of shape in our core muscles, our back will let us know pretty quick. The core muscles support the lower back and internal organs, and if we stop taking care of them, like most of us have, we are in for some soreness and more and more days of pain the longer we let it go on.
And our workout routines become ever more risky; we always are on the edge of straining our back.
OK, then, what are some really good core strengthening exercises to do?
* Pilates. You can do any Pilates routine and you will come out ahead. I've used Pilates for years to keep the old middle tight and strong. Pilates has a sort of "girls only" reputation for some reason, but take it from me, guys; this is serious exercise.
* The Farmer's Walk. Wait... the what? That's right, Farmer's Walk. Pick up two heavy somethings, like dumbbells, and walk across the room and then back again. You will work your arms, hands, shoulders, upper and lower back, legs, and your core " like crazy, just to keep upright and balanced.
* The Wood Chopper. Grab a medicine ball. Hold it over your head and off to one side. Now swing it down and over toward your opposite foot, like you were chopping wood. Then swing it back on the same line. Repeat several times, and switch sides. Be sure to engage your hips and legs to keep your back fairly straight. That makes it harder.
* Saxon Bends. These are tough. Take that ball again, or a weight plate if you need more weight, and hold it over your head. Now bend over to one side, without bending your back from front to back. You're just going side to side. When you've gone as far over as you can, head on over to the other side. Back to center again is one.
These exercises are a great warmup for a weight training workout. They'll warm up the whole body, and you can step away from the treadmill. Or, just devote a whole workout to core strengthening exercises; your back will thank you! - 17274
About the Author:
Eryk Helms is resolved to living a fitness-oriented lifestyle, and helping others to do so as well. His core stabilityening Exercises site has lots of great resources for increasing core stability, and for a limited time you can get a complimentary copy of "Perfect Posture In 30 Days" by visiting http://www.squidoo.com/core-strengthening-exercises.
posted by X - Men at
12:02 PM
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