One of the most important aspects of your workout regimen is to include basic core muscle training. You may think that you're doing this already – after all, you're working on your abs every day, right?
The truth is that unless you have a specific plan for your core training and are following it consistently, there's no way to know if you're getting the results you want.
What are Core Muscles?
Core muscles are the muscles in your abdomen, back, and buttocks. They're important for posture, balance, and stability. The core muscles help to support your spine so that it can stay upright without having to rely on other parts of your body for support.
These muscles are used in everyday activities like walking, sitting, and lifting objects off the ground or out of high cupboards. They also play an important role when performing any type of exercise (such as Pilates), as these exercises require good control over these muscles so that you don't injure yourself while doing them.
Why Should You Strengthen Your Core Muscles?
A strong core is an important part of your body. It helps you maintain proper posture and balance, as well as support your spine. Your core is also responsible for helping you move in a coordinated way, which can help prevent injury.
Strengthening your core muscles is an essential part of working out. If you want to improve your posture, balance, and stability, or simply feel better during exercise, then strengthening these muscles is a must. A strong core will also help you exercise better in general and recover faster from workouts that involve more than just running on the treadmill.
It comes as no surprise that so many people want to strengthen their cores and improve their workouts by doing so!
Core Muscle Exercises To Try
Check out these workouts to enhance your core:
1) Bridge
This pose engages your glutes, lifting your hips to tone your core and sculpt the butt and thighs.
To do this move:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet planted at hip width.
- Tighten your core and glutes.
- Raise your hips until they are aligned with your shoulders.
- Hold for few seconds, then repeat 4–5 times.
2) Crunch
Crunches are a classic core-strengthening move.
To do this exercise:
- Lie on your back, with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and hands crossed over your chest.
- Keep your core tight and shoulders relaxed as you tuck in your chin and raise your upper back off the floor.
- Repeat the exercise by lowering yourself back down.
3) Supine Toe Tap
Toe taps are a basic Pilates exercise that engages your core muscles while working your glutes, hips, and legs. If you have back pain, try toe taps instead of crunches.
To do this move:
- Lie on your back, with your knees bent at 90 degrees and hands at your sides.
- Tighten your core as you lift your right leg off the floor and tap it.
- Keep your left leg still, and lower it back down. Repeat with your left leg.
- Start with one set of 8–12 reps.
If you're looking for a way to improve your workouts, strengthening your core muscles is a great place to start. Not only will this help protect against injuries, but it can also increase your strength and endurance in other areas of fitness as well.