Here's The Second One For Core

Had some technical difficulties yesterday.  Can you say no internet or cable?  Thank goodness they came and fixed it quickly.

Now on to the business at hand.

This month I'm sharing with you core exercises using the Swiss Ball.  The purpose of the Swiss Ball, if you're not familiar with it, is to add increased instability.  By adding increased instability to your training, you increase the functioning and efficiency of your core musculature.

And as you all already know, a strong core is one of the most important aspects of being fit.  You can't truly call yourself in-shape if your core doesn't function properly.  Because to be quite honest, all movement first comes from the core.  It stabilizes your body just prior to any movement you do.  And if it's weak, other muscles take over a job they are not meant to do.  Now of course we all know what happens when you use the wrong tool for a job -- in this case possible injury. 

So don't skip the important exercises.  Train the muscles that matter as well as the muscles you can see

I'll have another one for you next week.

Need A New Exercise?

A hammer breaks glass, but forges steel. -- old Russian proverb

TGIF!

Hope you had a great week and this year is starting off well for you.

I want to make sure you have plenty of motivation and variety to keep you moving forward in your quest to transform your body.  Some of that comes in the form of information, tips and tricks, and some of it comes in the form of giving you new exercises to keep your choices fresh.  I know for me it's what allows me to keep myself motivated and pushing myself to the next level.

Last week I shared with you a couple of movements utilizing the suspension straps (Jungle Gym XT).  This week I'd like to share another movement that is specifically for the core. 

All too often people believe that doing endless sets of crunches and other assorted crunch type movements is all they need for a strong core. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Training your core properly takes more than crunches.  In fact, in the not too distant future, most people serious about training their core/abs, will do fewer and fewer crunches.  The truth of the matter is crunches are towards the bottom of the list when it comes to training your core/abs effectively.  Research is beginning to show that crunches, the way most people do them, is actually damaging to your spine and creates lower back pain.  With so many choices out there to train your abs/core effectively and not risk damaging your spine, why bother taking the risk?

If you need some other ideas on how to train your core/abs effectively and not risk back injury, check out  My You Tube Channel. The core exercises are specified in the title.

As the quote above suggests, you have to use the right tool for the right job.  Strengthen your core without damaging your spine.

Core Fitness 3

Here we are at week 3 of November.  Time is certainly flying by.  But truth be told, it's just a reminder that the holiday season is upon us.  Right about now is when most of us begin to feel the time crunch of Thanksgiving quickly approaching us, hoping we don't over-indulge yet again this year.  It's also the time when the Christmas shopping countdown begins -- becoming more frantic with each passing week.

But I know all of you have self-control.  You aren't going to let the same thing happen this year that threw you off track last year.  This year you're going to make sure you keep yourself on that long list of "things to do".  This year you'll make sure to stop when your body says it's had enough.  You'll wait a few hours and then go back if you still want more. This year you're not going to wait till the last minute to get your shopping done.

And since you've made those commitments, here is your next exercise to keep you on track.  You use your core every single day of your life.  There really is no "time-off" from keeping this all important part of your body in shape and functional.  Besides, you already figured out back pain is really no fun.