10 important core muscles

Core muscles are important for a healthy spine, reducing injury risk & sports. They help you at every level of fitness but only a few get the headlines. You’ve probably heard abdominals and maybe oblique’s. These are important core muscles but a small part of a bigger network.

Some important core muscles

Do you know there is a muscle called Quadratus Lumdorum? This is a very important muscle for your spine. Another called Latissimus Dorsi also helps stabilise your spine. These 10 core muscles in the tutorial above are working together to keep you fit and healthy but we don’t always train these muscles together.

Your Core

As I’ve mentioned your core is a network of muscles working together. However the exercises like sit-ups and crunches rarely show this. These exercises work your muscles separately and can hinder your health and fitness. Your core works best when exercises get muscles working together. Simple exercises like the plank and side plank do this.

But it doesn’t stop there

In a tutorial called “8 of the best core exercises” I outline more exercises that help your core muscles work together. Exercises that involve movement are also a great way for core muscles to work together. Movements that use rotation, carrying and lifting are some of the most effective.

Why sit-ups don’t work?

Sit-ups only work if you’re using a bodybuilding method to train the muscle. If you want a healthy spine, a reduced injury risk or greater fitness they are less effective. I say this because your core muscles are designed to prevent movement of the torso but sit-ups create movement of the torso. It’s a simple idea but one that so many people don’t follow.

Watch the tutorial above

In it you’ll learn;

1. About your core
2. The 10 important core muscles
3. How your core works