If you want to get into the best shape of your life, then you are going to have to know about the most effective core workouts and what makes them so beneficial to your overall fitness.
It can be said that a good core routine is what justifies working out at all; and although being physically active is, in and of itself, a good habit, exercising the core muscles can go further to help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and even self-esteem.
Which Muscles Are Activated During a Core Workout?
When you are selecting the most effective core workouts, you will need to know exactly which muscles you need to be exercising. The core of a person refers to the main part of the body, or the torso—basically everything except the legs and arms. Most of your basic motor functions are dependent upon the condition of your core, so when choosing the most effective exercises, it becomes imperative to include core training, especially when you want to improve your overall health. In fact, a well-maintained core can actually help save you from otherwise avoidable injury.
What Exercises Should I Do?
In your devoted search to find the best exercises, you will most likely find a plethora of choices—so how will you know which ones you should be doing? The fact of the matter is that you do not have to go all-out to get really impressive results. As a general rule, the core muscles react rather quickly to proper exercise, which means that finding effective core workouts could be easier than you might think. Try cable crunches and barbell pullovers to get you started.
Anatomy of the Abdominals
Your core, which comprises your entire torso, is broken down into sections. Each of these sections should be worked out proportionately to the degree of overall fitness you want to achieve. The basic parts of the abdominals (or core) are:
- Rectus abdominus
- External oblique
- Internal oblique
- Transverse abdominus
When structuring a routine that features the most effective core workouts, don’t forget to use your knowledge of the major muscle groups. In your search to find the best exercises for your core, don’t forget about your midsection. As always, speak to your doctor or a certified fitness trainer for more information.
