Strong Core- It's more than a crunch!

A strong core reduces back pain, improves posture and helps athletic performance tremendously.  All powerful movements originate from the core, so a stable core is necessary before the most powerful extremities can contract.

A crunch works a very specific set of muscles; however, the core muscles run the length of the trunk and torso.  Your core is your solid foundation, which transfers energy out to the limbs.

These muscles include:
rectus abdominus
erector spinae
internal obliques
external obliques
hip flexors
gluetus maxiumus
gluetus medius
hip adductors

Strengthening the core is most effective when the torso works as a solid unit:

• Exercises include: Plank, Side Plank, Push Up, V-Sits, Squats, Hip Lift, Lunges w/ Twist, Supermans

Stability ball work also helps the core as well as the use of medicine balls or wobble boards.  PILATES IS AN EXCELLENT CORE WORKOUT, and athletes should try to incorporate pilates to their training regimen.