Strong To The Core

The pursuit of flat abs is a noble one. But is a six-pack the best marker of fitness? WH explains what it really means to have a rock-solid middle.

- Kristin Canning

Many people crank up their core workouts looking for a flatter, more toned tummy – and, hey, nothing wrong with a little vanity mojo! But if getting visible abs is your only focus when it comes to training – and you’re doing a million sit-ups to get there – your plan might backfire.

“The core isn’t one muscle; it’s a relationship of a bunch of muscles that cover your whole trunk, connecting your hips, spine, neck and shoulders,” says performance coach Brett Klika. “The rectus abdominis, or ‘six-pack’ muscles, are only part of it.”

Super -targeted abs exercises leave a lot of your core out of the picture and neglecting those other muscles can actually slow your progress. What’s more, there are plenty of non-aesthetic reasons to boost core strength. “Some of the strongest people in the world don’t have six packs and they can lift a lot, hit sixes and perform tremendous feats of athleticism,” says Klika. Here’s what you’ll gain when you think bigger and train smarter.

NO MORE PAIN

A strong core is a major factor in staying injury-free, particularly in the hips and knees, says strength and conditioning specialist Michelle Arent. Research shows that women with good core engagement are better able to control how their knees move while performing strength exercises, like single-leg squats and lunges, which may protect against ACL tears. The core also helps stabilise the pelvis and femurs, says Arent, noting that the glutes (yes, also part of this powerhouse pack of muscles!) play a big role in fighting pain. Basically, your core is the foundation for all ache-free movement.

BETTER POSTURE