Why core strength matters and how to get it in 5 minutes

Your core performs five types of tasks for you daily. That’s a lot of multi-tasking being handled by three muscle groups — those in your abdominal, back and pelvis area.

It’s an area you see a lot written about in fitness and here’s why: A strong core does more than give you nice abs… Your core is like a tree trunk. It grounds you while you do just about anything — and helps the rest of your body move better. It enhances balance and stability. It helps prevent falls and injuries… and can help keep you strong and independent.

That’s also why it’s important to perform a potluck of exercise each time you work your core to optimize its strength and endurance to keep these muscles on task.

Unfortunately, there’s one type of core exercise that is way overdone — yet, it’s the least needed of the core exercises. It’s forward flexion, most commonly done as crunches and sit-ups. What’s worse, this common exercise can cause more harm than good.

For that reason, leaving forward flexion out of your exercise selection to emphasize the other tasks your core does can help enhance your overall core strength and endurance. After all, if you’re fixated over a keyboard too much you can probably benefit from back extension and stabilization most. You are already excellent at forward flexion.

Try the following categories of core strength exercise to enhance the work your core does daily. Always check with a physician before attempting any new exercise program, especially if you have a current injury. Watch the exercises first before you try.