Many people want their ‘core’ muscles to look better, yet few realize how important these muscles are to overall health. Your core muscles run the entire length of your torso to stabilize your spine and pelvis. They allow you to stand upright and move on two feet. They also help you transfer energy, shift body weight and move in any direction. All the more reason to strengthen and condition these specific muscles. The goal of core stability is to maintain a foundation from the center of the body out to the limbs. There are many different muscles that make up the core. They include:
•    Rectus Abdominis
•    Erector Spinae
•    Multifidus
•    External/Internal Obliques
•    Hip Flexors
•    Transverse Abdominis

Your abdominals don't deserve all the credit for your core. The back is a major foundation of strength, yet it's also an area of weakness for many people. Weak, unbalanced core muscles are linked to low back pain. So the stronger your core muscles become, the easier it will be to maintain your posture and reduce the strain on your spine. Training your core muscles can correct postural imbalances that could lead to injuries. But the biggest benefit of core training is to reach a level of fitness essential to daily living and regular activities. So be active every day. Go to the gym, take an abs class, or run outside or on a treadmill. Strengthening your core will eventually lead your torso to work as a solid unit, with the front and back muscles contracting at the same time.  

There are many different exercises to strengthen your core, as well as exercise equipment that will help in your training. Body weight exercises are very helpful in developing core strength (sit-ups, planks, pushups, back bridge, back extension). Some great products to enhance your core strength include:
•    Dumbbells
•    Stability Balls
•    Kettlebells
•    Medicine Balls
•    Bosu Ball, Balance Boards, wobble boards

It's never too late to make a difference for your body! Consider this a wake-up call to improve your core.  Strengthening and conditioning core muscles can help you maintain great torso and postural stability—and live a healthy life!