You've surely seen the numerous reports of the importance of core exercises for women and how often those articles touch on the abdominal muscles. While our abs make up one part of the muscle group considered our "core" or "trunk" muscles, they are not the only muscle group that needs attention and ignoring the others is like running only half the race and calling it quits.
Our core includes not only our abdominal muscles, but all of the muscle groups that surround our trunk area including our back muscles. Our back, stomach, and spine support our neck and head. It stands to reason that the stronger these core muscles, the better our posture will be and the stronger we will be in total. Most daily activities involve the use of our core. Even simple activities that we take for granted like picking up our children or grandchildren, folding laundry, or working on the computer involve the use of our core muscles.
Regardless of age, core exercises for women can help with improved posture and mobility. To benefit from these exercises:
- Make sure you see a doctor before starting any new exercise routine.
- Perform regular muscle developing exercises. The National Osteoporosis Foundation lists this as one of the five steps necessary for the prevention of osteoporosis.
- Rotate your exercise routine periodically to continuously challenge your muscles in new ways.
- Learn the proper form and position for each exercise. Using improper form while exercising not only negates some exercise benefits but can lead to injury.
- Combine proper nutrition with core exercises for better total body health.
The term "core exercises" has received a lot of attention lately, but women have long been interested in their health and these separate muscle groups. Perhaps we haven't always understood the interaction between these muscles and how they help and support each other. Working one set of muscles helps us to some degree. Working groups of muscles that work together helps us so much more.
