Six Pack! Why We Need to Work Our Abs

I had an interesting conversation with a friend the other night. We were talking about fitness, and the goals he has for the year. After finally convincing him to start weight training instead of just doing cardio every day after talking about the importance of building muscle. I asked him about core training, and if he's planning to work his abs. He said, "Nope," and my eyebrows hit my hairline. Why on earth not? He made a valid point that defined abs don't pop until you get rid of the fat covering them. Again, yes, that's true, but there is so much more to core training than just building a six-pack. Here are a few reasons you should keep in mind:

• Strong core muscles are necessary for stabilization of the body. The transverse abdominus acts as a girdle for those internal organs, and, hey, as this muscle tightens and tones, it'll pull that waist in and you'll feel your pants getting looser! The obliques, both internal and external, help with those daily twisting motions (like checking your blind spot). Not only do they help the motion itself, but keep everything aligned so you don't throw out your back with something so small.
• Those core muscles help prevent injury. When I first started doing Turbo Jam, I kept having hip problems because of my weak core and not understanding the importance of building a strong core. Once I started building those core muscles, and keeping them engaged, those hip problems have disappeared. Even the most basic move of a squat or a lunge can hurt you if you don't have a strong core supporting you.
• Can we say posture? A strong core helps you stand taller and look slimmer! Talk about an easy way to look 10 pounds thinner.

As you can see, it isn't all about the six pack so please start working your abs. Grab that Power 90 Ab Ripper or ChaLEAN Extreme's Extreme Abs or whatever ab workout you might have. Heck, just get down on the floor and do some solid crunches! The time has come to think of the core as more than just a washboard.

KPP!
Court