Core Training for Good Posture
You have no doubt heard the term “core training” lately. What is meant by your “core” is the central muscles in the trunk of your body. These muscles work together to protect organs, produce movement, and keep you upright. They have something to do with nearly every movement you make, so their importance is obvious.One of the best side effects of having a strong core is good posture. When your muscles act together in harmony your body is carried in a way that reduces pain and strain. Many people suffer from back pain (particularly in the lower back) that can be minimized with core training and subsequent improvement in posture.
Think about it. Your abdominal muscles, back muscles, and the muscles in your hips and butt all work together to keep you upright and standing tall. When one muscle or group of muscles in this team isn’t doing its part, the other groups have to compromise and work harder to keep you up. By training your core you can ensure that all of the core muscles are pulling their weight and none of them are overcompensating for the others.
Core training includes a wide variety of exercises. Anything that causes you to engage your stomach muscles, back muscles and gluteus muscles is likely good for your core. Moves that require stabilization of all three of these groups are excellent in the world of core training. Pushups and planks are an obvious choice when core training.
Yoga is another great exercise for core training. Because yoga requires good balance, and coordination it is often using more than one group of core muscles at a time. You engage many muscles through the trunk of your body while holding yoga poses. Yoga workouts like those in the P90X series and 10 Minute Trainer are both great for core training.
By increasing the strength of your core you encourage great posture. With great posture come alleviation of pain and discomfort in the back and hips as well. Core training is a great way to get your exercise while improving your posture and gait and giving you a physical reason to walk with your head high.
