A fitness buzz term, core training has become the latest must- do addition in everyone’s workout. Unlike other trends, however, core training should not be considered a fad or fleeting phase. Training your core can increase muscle growth, improve posture, increase athletic performance, prevent injury, and even help reduce back pain. Benefits of core training are far reaching and well known.
 
What is your Core?
 
The muscles that make up the core are those that hold you upright. They are all of the muscles around your torso that are responsible for your stability. While some experts include different muscles in what they believe make up your core, it can consist of everything from your abdominal muscles, to your back, hips, and even your gluteus maximus (rear end). These muscles make up the strength powerhouse of your midsection.
 
Your core muscles do more than hold you upright, they also protect your important organs and bones. Muscles in your core cushion your spine and provide a strong base of support for the rest on your body. Core training then, not only protects your body but also strengthens your poise and gives you a greater power base for using your extremities.

Although new to the mainstream fitness world, athletes have been using core training to improve performance for years. Having a strong core can make you stronger in all-brute sports like football, and can greatly improve your balance and stability on your feet for sports like gymnastics and even basketball. Track stars use their core on their strong push offs, and for the balance and cushioning that strong core muscles provide.

How do I incorporate core training into my fitness routine?

Many good core training exercises are probably already a part of your exercise routine. Things like push-ups that require full body stability, and sit ups that work individual core muscles, are good examples of core exercises you are probably already using.

However, for a greater core workout, there are alternatives that allow you to complete an entire fitness routine for the core, greatly increasing core strength and bringing all the benefits that go with that. For instance, Core Synergistics, included as part of the P90X series dedicates a whole workout to strengthening the core through a combination of cardio, resistance, and stretching moves.

Core training is an indispensible piece to a high quality fitness program. Core training is definitely worth the buzz it has been getting and is a vital addition to your workout. By working your core you are benefiting your body in a multitude of ways that simply cannot be duplicated.