Our bodies once received enough physical activity simply through the act of survival. It was natural and built into our daily actions/needs, and provided an automatic way for us as humans to be fit.
But times have changed.
How many people do you know that currently sit at desk jobs all day? The numbers are staggering and continue to grow.
The computer is a phenomenal tool. It is definitely expanding our mental awareness and activity. Unfortunately, it is no pal to our physical fitness.
In fact, sitting for hours on end at desk jobs and avoiding regular exercise is the ideal recipe for neck, back and hip pain. This type of environment allows core muscles to weaken and only gets worse as years go by.
The value of a strong core cannot be overstated – it is the central link between your upper and lower bodies.
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.
Strength in these muscles is what gives the entire skeleton support – holding bones in place and reducing strain on joints, allowing the bones to move without damaging friction. 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 – all the muscles except those in your arms and legs.
Core strength and stability definitely 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.
Nearly every moment we make originates from the body core where power is generated to carry out the movement – every motion taken ripples down through the core.
Weak and inflexible core muscles drain power from movements and make them downright difficult to perform. They cannot support perfect posture because other muscles must shift to compensate to maintain balance and keep you erect. 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.
No amount of money spent on plastic surgery, ointments, potions or lotions can provide you with a younger more vibrant look if your core muscles are weak and your posture bent. If looking and feeling younger with stellar health really matters to you then you must address the strength of your core muscles.
There are many methods you can use to improve your core strength, build up your core muscles and begin reversing this downward trend.
Address Your Core Muscles
There are a 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 as well as the “sandbag workout.” 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.
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.
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
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.
