A Strong Core is the Best Place to Start
Any time an athlete or model shows off his or her abdominal “six pack,” all eyes are on them. Having a strong, muscular mid-section is not only attractive, but beneficial both in future workouts and just day to day activities. The core of the human body, which generally means not only the abdominals, but the side and lower back muscles as well. All these work together as a core unit, improving things like running, jumping, climbing, and any mundane task that require stabilization (like not slipping on a wet floor or ice, for example). Strengthening the mid-section can also mean lessoning lower back pain or weakness, while also improving posture and general mobility. A strong core might even help develop better breathing while conditioning. There are a multitude of ways to increase the core. While many still rely on old faithfuls like sit-ups or crunches, newer research points toward exercises that challenge upper and lower abs to work together, possibly with ot...