You may have heard about the need to “build your core muscle strength“. You might even have started an exercise routine to do just that. But do you really understand why you need to strengthen these core muscles? Or where in fact your core muscles are? Let me break it down for you.

Where are your Core Muscles?

The core muscles are found in the torso of the body, that is in the mid and lower back, the abdomen, the neck, pelvis and bum.  These muscles are the central muscles in the body and are essential to maintaining movement, posture and a general sense of wellbeing.

While most bodily functions are in some way affected by the core muscles, there are key benefits to maintaining strong core muscles that might surpise you.

1. You’ll Have a Healthier Digestive System

You might think the health of your digestive system is largely down to the foods you eat, but your digestive organs are surrounded by your core muscles.

Image by familymwr via FlickrA weakened core can lead to enuresis (also known as incontinence or wetting yourself) or may make it harder for you to go to the toilet resulting in constipation.

2. You’ll Find it Easier to Walk Uphill

When you feeling tired out after walking up a steep hill, this is because your muscles are not only propelling you forward,but also fighting against gravity to keep you going up.

You may think that your legs are doing all the hard work. But actually, your core muscles are maintaining your balance on uneven ground, ensuring that you stay upright so your legs can move you onwards and upwards.

3. You’ll Look Slimmer

Stronger core muscles will make it easier for you to maintain a good posture.  And if you’re posture is good, you’ll look like you’ve lost weight (as your tummy looks more toned) without losing a single pound.

4. You’ll Feel More Energetic and Less Stressed

Exercise makes you feel good – it’s a well-known fact.  But did you know that simply sitting up straight can give you more energy and make you feel better?

Strong core muscles will help you to sit properly.  When your posture is good, less pressure is placed on your muscles and bones so it’s easier to move freely.

If you can move more freely, your muscles don’t have to work as hard to complete simple movements as they aren’t fighting against each other all the time.  Reducing this constant battle gives you more energy.

And as an added bonus, you’ll have less “tension headaches”, which are often considered to be a sign of stress.

In fact they are caused by poor posture placing too much strain on the muscles in the neck and shoulders, strong core muscles can help to eliminate the unnecessary strain.

5. You’ll Look Younger for Longer

Any exercise routine will help to keep you fighting fit, with a youthful exuberance beyond your years.  But building core strength goes one better.

A key sign of old age is the hunched and shrinking posture that many people develop.  It may seem inevitable, but it is actually a biproduct of failing to stretch your spine out properly.

Poor posture pushes the bones in the spine closer together.  If your posture is poor for a long period of time, ultimately the bones will learn to stay in that position, until it becomes impossible to straighten and lengthen the spine.

By building your core muscles now you can prevent yourself from developing this hunched position, potentially indefinitely.

6. Ladies, Labour Will be Easier

Giving birth is never going to be easy, but the core muscles play an intregal part in birth.  Strengthening your core muscles before you ever consider having a baby means it will be easier to give birth and even to support your baby bump during pregancy.

So, now you’ve found out just some of the benefits of building your core strength, what are you waiting for?  Get exercising now!

Starr Medical is an expert supplier of enuresis products and incontinence aids.

How do you build your core muscles?  Are you using a smooth Aero Pilates machine, and ab trainer, Pilates Reformer, or something else?  Comment below to let us know!

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