Core Strength Training Exercises

Your core muscles extend from your pelvic floor to your abdominal muscles, and on to your diaphragm. The combination of your buttocks, back and core muscles forms your body's centre for strength, movement and stability. It is a well known fact that a strong core prevents injuries reduces lower back pain and improves posture. Core strengthening exercises are vital in the conditioning of your body to prevent back pain and injuries. Your core is your powerhouse and cornerstone to any fitness training. A strong core directly relates to a strong body.

Typically core strength exercises work on groups of muscles to develop an even distribution of strength around the spine. Traditional recognized exercises include the following.

Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Ball Crunches, Oblique Crossing Over Crunches and Air Bicycling - These exercises concentrate on your abdominal muscles. With the use of some variations to the side one can work your abs in a transverse manner. Using a ball can increase the workout on your core muscles. The Air bicycling increases the variety of muscles used.

Push Ups, Plank, Back Extensions with a ball and Butt Lifts - These exercises mainly concentrate on improving your back muscle development. Variations include tightening your core muscles to hold the position.

Side Plank or Side Bridge - These exercises work your Obliques as well as your abdominal and back muscles. It is very important to work both sides of the body evenly.

Squats - Properly completed these exercises are a powerful method to develop good core strength. Care should be taken when doing squats and they should only be done with instruction from a certified trainer as if these exercises are performed incorrectly they can lead to injury. One should use a squat rack to reduce the risk of injury.

And then there is the Syco XT - the ultimate core strength training exercise, which unlike the others is FUN!!!