Filed under: Health, Fitness, Ask a Fitness Expert
There’s been a lot of talk about “the core” these days, thanks in part to the increasing popularity of yoga. But what is the core, why do we need to strengthen it and what are the best ways to work it? We asked fitness expert Kathleen Trotter to explain.
Q: What is the core?
A: There is a common misconception that the superficial “six pack” abdominals are what constitutes your “core.” In truth, the core spans the entire torso region and ends above the knee. The muscles that make up the core include the superficial abdominals (rectus abdominals) as well as the deep abdominals (transverse abdominals), external and internal obliques, back muscles (for example the multifitus muscles) and the muscles of the hips (for example your glutes and inner thighs). A well functioning core is able to use all these muscles to effectively and efficiently carry out movement.
Q: Why do we need to strengthen it?
Continue reading What is the Core and Why You Should Strengthen it