Our bodies once received enough physical activity simply through the act of survival. But times have changed. How many people do you know that currently sit at desk jobs all day? The computer is definitely expanding our mental awareness and activity but is no pal to our physical fitness.
Sitting for hours on end at desk jobs and avoiding regular exercise is the ideal recipe for neck, back and hip pain that only increases as years go by. This type of environment allows core muscles to weaken. If core muscles are allowed to continually weaken, overtime the stabilizing support of the back and spine muscles weakens and posture takes on an aged look.
No amount of money spent on plastic surgery, ointments, or any type of pill or potion can give you a younger more vibrant look if your core muscles are weak and your posture bent. If looking and feeling younger with stellar health matter to you then you must address your core muscles.
Although many people still think of the core as the abdominal muscles, core strength actually includes abdominal, back, chest, hips, pelvis and upper thigh muscles. They pretty much include all the muscles except those in your arms and legs.
Strength in the core is what gives the entire skeleton support – holding bones in place and reducing strain on joints that allow the bones to move freely without friction.
Nearly every moment we make originates from the body core where power is generated to carry out movement – every motion taken ripples down through the core. The reality is, the value of a strong core cannot be overstated – it is the central link between your upper and lower bodies.
Core strength and stability confer an advantage in sports but also help with the repetitive movements of everyday life making chores and tasks easier by reducing the amount of effort required.
Weak core muscles cannot support perfect posture because other muscles shift to compensate in order to keep you balanced and erect. Weak and inflexible core muscles drain power from movements and make them downright difficult to perform. The results are damaging neck and shoulder tension, lower back injuries, breathing difficulties, restricted movements, joint problems (ankles, knees, hips, spine and shoulders are all involved) and chronic pain as well as headaches, fatigue and digestion problems and the worst of all – a slouchy, bent-over stance that adds years to your age.
There are many methods you can use to improve your core strength, build up your core muscles and begin reversing this downward trend.
Variety is the Spice of Life
There is a healthy variety of products readily available that work to strengthen the core by creating resistance or introducing instability so that the muscles must respond to maintain balance. The Swiss Ball, also known as the Fitness Ball is a popular one. It provides an unstable platform so the body’s “core” is forced to compensate and employ strength to maintain balance and stability.
Other tools that can be used successful to strengthen the “core” include gym equipment such as free weights, cable exercise, pin and plate loaded machines that work the lower back and front abdominal muscles plus machines that twist and add resistance to strengthen the oblique muscles.
Medicine balls, kettle-bells, dumbbells and barbells, stability balls and balance/wobble boards can also be used to strengthen the core. Don’t have access to any of the equipment mentioned? No problem. You can use body-weight exercises such as the “plank” right in the comfort of your own home to strengthen your core muscles as well. So, no excuses!
Starting and sticking with a core strengthening exercise program is key to reversing any damage that’s been done and getting your body upright and pain free in a relatively short period of time.
Once you’ve improved your core strength, you’ll automatically begin to carry and present yourself in a different way. A muscular, well-defined core shows strength while preventing pain, injury and other health concerns.
You’ll stand taller – with renewed confidence, poise and leadership.
The responsibility for your health and fitness falls directly on you. However, you are also the one that reaps the rewards and benefits from your accountability.
If you truly want to take command of your life and avoid disease somewhere down the road – your muscles need to be in tip-top condition…strong and toned at all times – starting now.
“Reclaim Your Longevity” can help you do just that…
For more tools and resources from Carolyn Hansen to assist you in attaining your health and fitness goals and achieving the success you desire in life, please visit:
Here’s a great solution to building a strong core as well as giving your body an overall awesome workout in a short amount of time!
Check out my quick and easy…
Project Me Finally Fit program
At just 10 minutes in length, if you cannot find a way to squeeze this kind of effective workout into your schedule every other day, it’s likely there’s not another one in all existence that could take it’s place.
After all, most things can only be made so simple before they just cannot be made to work at all!
– Carolyn “The 10-Minute Sandbag Workout” Hansen
If you’d like to know more about how THE most effective form of fitness training and strength building that you are ever likely to come across is… can be made to work for you, then click the following link to learn more…
Project Me Finally Fit sandbag kit.
P.S. I even created a FREE mobile app for you to keep track of your sandbag workouts. With 4 built-in workouts of 7 distinct sandbag movements, you have 28 different exercises to choose from should you decide to create your own custom sandbag works.
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