By Request: Easy Ways to Strengthen the Core

This month, I’m taking requests for things folks want to know about fitness (yes, please!  Ask me questions and I will blog the answers!).

What are some easy ways to strengthen my core?

 

It depends on what we mean by easy.

 

If we mean easy, in the sense of not having to do separate exercises for the core in addition to whatever else we’re doing in our workouts, the answer is that we need to incorporate compound exercises and relatively heavy weights into our workouts.  When we’re doing heavy squats, we get tons of core benefits without a crunch in sight.

 

If we mean easy, in the sense that we target our core efficiently and effectively without having to spend forever, let me suggest two things:  planks and pretty princesses.  The plank and its variations target the whole core in an isometric fashion (translation:  we just have to hold the position.).  For those readers who do not regularly work out with me, pretty princesses are not called that in any other gym or studio.  To do them, we lie on our backs with our arms and legs raised toward the ceiling, holding a stability ball (or yoga block or imaginary item).  We lower the ball toward the floor while simultaneously lowering our legs toward the floor.  Then we bring arms and legs back to the starting position, hold our ball between our legs and repeat the lowering and lifting.  That is one rep.  Pretty princesses work the entire front of our core while keeping our spines supported, so they are suitable even for people with osteopenia.

 

If we mean easy, in the sense that we don’t have to make any changes to how we move in the world, we’re just out of luck.  I do not lie to clients:  we have to work to get what we want.

 

Go do stuff.