Ab-solutely!

Your core is THE most important set of muscles you could be working on, yet many defer to the arms, legs and bum in an effort to have a strong, fit, lean appearance. When you really stop and think about what's happening when you develop your extremities and neglect where they all come together it should not be a surprise when the low back and hips begin to bark and cause us pain.

Most movement is 'core to extremity'. When you throw, kick, swing or do about any athletic movement the start of that movement is the 'wind up' in your core. In addition to being where the movement starts, the core stabilizes you and keeps you solid during the movement and thus keeping you safe.

Imagine big a lineman with powerful arms and legs taking a hit without a core to stabilize him? Picture a boxer or pitcher in baseball without a core. Leaving the professional sports ranks, let's bring it home... lifting bags of mulch or topsoil in the next few weeks requires you to bend down and pick up the bag properly, using your legs. But what happens if your core gives out? Back trouble!

Over the next few blog posts I'll discuss the core in more detail by breaking down each of the muscles. Today we'll start with the most well-known....

Rectus Abdominis
It is the long, flat muscle that extends vertically and is what is referred to as, "the six pack." The cool line that runs vertically (the cut we all want) is a tendinous sheath called the 'linea alba'. Then there are three more tendinous sheaths that run horizontally to make up the "six pack."

The rectus abdominis helps to flex the spinal column, narrowing the space between the pelvis and the ribs. ( Think sit up, tuck up, v-up ). It is also active during side bending motions and helps stabilize the trunk during movements involving the extremities and head.

Doing the rope climb you may have noticed the HUGE role the rectus abdominus played in getting you to the top. Perhaps you also felt it during the Knees to Elbows? And don't be surprised to find that if you think about your core during dips---- they are pitching in to do their part, too.