The 3 Benefits of Core Training

Training with a balance board is a great way to strengthen your core. What we call the core of your body involves a series of muscles that help stabilize our trunk whenever we initiate a movement. Core training is today considered an essential aspect of all fitness training. As a chiropractor, I recommend it to the majority of my patients whether they exercise or not. Strengthening your core muscles which are composed by the abdominal, the deep back muscles, and the hip muscles will offer 3 major benefits:

1. A Strong Core Will Prevent/Reduce Back Pain

Weak core muscles often lead to a poor posture with a swayed position of the pelvis. That results in the loss of the natural lumbar curve putting a high load on the lower vertebrae. Strengthening the core muscles will better support the low back and protect it.

2. A Strong Core Improves Functional Posture

It is easier to stand and seat up straight if our core muscles are in good shape. Many people present a slouched posture (round back, shoulders in, head forward) without sometime being aware of it. By strengthening the core, we will naturally stand up taller. In addition, having a healthy posture will help improve athletic performances.

3. A Strong Core Tone Up the Belly Area

Core training offers the advantage to train the whole circumference of your waist. Abs exercises alone cannot do it. The waist and torso will naturally have a 'fit' look. As we hit thirty core training becomes a must to avoid putting extra weight in this sensitive region.

The muscles that constitute the core of your body:

- Rectus Abdominus: this muscle is found along the front of the abdomen and it constitutes the "six-pack" (in fit individual!)

- Erector Spinae: Group of three muscles running along the back.

- External Obliques: These muscles are located on the side and front of the abdomen.

- Internal Obliques: located under the external obliques with fibers running in the opposite direction.

- Transerve Abdominus: it forms the deepest of the abdominal muscles (located under the obliques,) and wraps around the spine.

- The Iliopsoas: located at the front of the hip.

- Hip adductors: found at the medial though

- Gluteus medius and minimus: They are found at the side of the hip.

Balance boards which are used to train balance create an efficient stimulation of your core. Using them in addition to the more classical core training exercises will create a solid and healthy core.

Training your core through specific exercises will help you strengthen the foundation of your body. To learn more about the benefits of balance board training: http://www.thebalanceboard.net

My name is Moutassem Hammour. I studied chiropractic care in the USA, and for the last 10 years I have been sharing information on preventive care and healthy living, through articles, videos, and public talks.

Article Source: Moutassem_Hammour