by Erik Helms

Core stability and core strengthening exercises are a much overlooked, but vital, part of a comprehensive workout routine and back health maintenance.
female athlete stretching
Every day, our daily activities are filled with all kinds of abuses to our back. We twist, turn, bend, pick up things incorrectly. Most of us spend almost all day sitting for our jobs. In order for our core muscles to adequately support our back and internal organs, they have to be in pretty good shape. As soon as we start to get lax in our efforts to stay in shape, our back begins to “talk” to us. Bending over becomes a chore, we hurt all the time, and life becomes more and more miserable.

And our workout routines become ever more risky; we always are on the edge of straining our back.

OK, then, what are some really good core strengthening exercises to do?

* Pilates. You can do any Pilates workout and you will come out ahead. I’ve used Pilates for years to keep the old middle tight and strong. Pilates has a sort of “girls only” reputation for some reason, but take it from me, guys; this is serious exercise.

* The Farmer’s Walk. This is really a whole body exercise, but your core will work real hard, as will your back, legs, arms and hands. Just go pick up two very heavy dumbbells, and carry them over to the other side of the room and back again. Maybe another time. Your core will work overtime to keep you balanced and stable.

* The Wood Chopper. Take a medicine ball, hold it in both hands over your head and to one side, and swing it down diagonally toward your feet on the opposite side. Bend your knees and hips and use your legs to get to the bottom point, and then lift back up to the starting point. Do several, and then switch sides.

* Saxon Bends. Tough stuff here. Take that medicine ball again, or a weight plate, and standing, hold it over your head at arms’ length. Now sway over to one side, and back over to the other side. Back to center is one rep. Be sure not to bend forward or backward to protect your back, and keep the abs tight at all times.

You can use these exercises as either a great warmup or cooldown (sort of) for your regular weight training routine. Or, why not devote a whole workout to core strengthening exercises from time to time; the change will do you good.

About the Author:
Eryk Helms is dedicated to living a healthy and fit lifestyle, and nudging others along the path as well. His core strengthening Exercises site has lots of great resources for increasing core stability, and for a limited time you can get a free copy of “Perfect Posture In 30 Days” by popping by http://www.squidoo.com/core-strengthening-exercises.

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