In anatomy, the core refers, in its most general of definitions, to the body minus the legs and arms. Functional movements are highly dependent on the core, and lack of core development can result in a predisposition to injury. The main muscles involved include the transversus abdominis, the internal and external obliques, the quadratus lumborum and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the main muscle of breathing in the human and so breathing is important in providing the necessary core stability for moving and lifting.
The core is traditionally assumed to originate most full-body functional movement, including most sports. In addition, the core determines to a large part a person’s posture. In all, the human anatomy is built to take force upon the bones and direct autonomic force, through various joints, in the desired direction.
The core muscles align the spine, ribs, and pelvis of a person to resist a specific force, whether static or dynamic.
Perform the following five exercises in a row with no rest between sets. Then, rest one minute and complete the exercises again. Rest two miniutes and complete the exercises one more time for a total of three sets.
More core workouts:
Workout graphic: The Women Health Big Book of Abs and Women’s Health
