At the core of every movement is...

One of the keys to maintaining proper fitness level starts with…core strength. Core is more than an abdominal six-pack; it is a group of muscles that stabilizes the pelvis and spine and influences the body from head to toe.  Just like the core of the apple is the center of which everything else grows, Core strength helps posture, keeps joints intact, improves mobility, prevents injury, and improves balance. If you have struggled sitting upright or standing up, you likely have a weak core.

As we age…

We lose that lean mass if we don’t implement strength training under proper guidance. This results in loss of strength, and bones and cartilage start to wear. We then experience more pain (back, hip, knee, foot, neck). Weakness results in an imbalanced core, which leads to problems up and down the body. For example, knee pain is often caused by insufficient pelvic stabilization. When we then stop working out due to pain, our fitness falls off, we put on weight and further accelerate the aging process. It soon becomes easier to get into our La-Z-Boy than it is to get out!

 I’ve struggled with pain. Is there hope for me?

Nearly all symptoms linked to weak core can be alleviated. Having strong core postural muscles allows you to move better. It starts with appropriate guided exercises.  One can incorporate compound movements, where multiple muscle groups are engaged, including your core. This helps your body work in harmony. It takes coaching from your fitness professional to learn how to engage your core, and when you do, you get more out of the workout and enjoy the workout more.  Learning to activate the core requires concentration and leads to being more in tune with the body. It sometimes takes patience for people to “find” their core, but once they do, you can engage and activate your core during any activity.

What are the benefits of a strong core?  People who successfully strengthen the core and then other areas rave at the fact they can pick up their grandchildren with ease. A recent 84-year-old women, after going through a dedicated strengthening routine, stated she no longer has back pain, no more visits to the doctor or chiropractor. It’s the “core element” to achieve the ability to live the life you want without that nagging pain. You also start to see the benefits of clothes that fit better!   At your next workout, see if you can tell when and how to engage your core…you’ll be happy you did!