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[C1059]Core Workout For Women

by Charles Inniss, Cha

Tip #1: Activate Your Abdominal Muscles

The abdominal muscles play a significant role in core stability. The deep abdominal muscles contract to stabilize the spine before the arms and legs can move. The drawing-in maneuver and the plank are great exercises to activate the deep abdominal muscles.

Tip #2: Strengthen Your Lower Back Muscles

The lower back muscles often get neglected in fitness programs, probably in part because of vanity. I have never heard someone say, "Do you know any good exercises to get ripped lower back muscles?" In fitness many people are focused on getting 6 pack abs and a flat stomach, and they are neglecting their back.

The back muscles are just as important as the abdominal muscles. If you want to have a strong core, you must have both strong abs and strong back muscles.

Tip #3: Learn to Engage the Pelvic Floor

The Pelvic Floor muscles are most popular when discussing sexual dysfunction or bladder control issues, but they are really important for stabilizing the pelvis lumbar spine. They actually work with the abdominals and back muscles. To engage the pelvic floor muscles you have to contract as if you were preventing yourself from going to the bathroom.

Tip #4: Do Balance Exercises

Balance Exercises are any exercise when you are standing on 1 leg or when you are standing on an unstable surface. Your center of gravity shifts when you stand on one leg, so your core muscles must work harder to maintain your alignment. Balance Exercises are an important part of a core workout routine.

Tip #5: Strengthen your Scapular Muscles and Rotator Cuff

Your core is more than just your spine. Your core is your entire trunk and consists of the shoulder and scapular stabilizers. When your scapula is stable, you will be less likely to get shoulder injuries and you will perform at a higher level. Your core workout should include scapular and rotator cuff exercises.

Tip #6: Strengthen your Gluteus Maximus

The hip stabilizers are also part of the core. The glutes attach to the pelvis and control the position of the hips. When the glutes are weak or inefficient you will have a decrease in pelvic stability and hip stability. Bridges are a great exercise to strengthen the glutes an improve core stability.

Tip #7: Train for Stabilization and Endurance First

Core stabilization exercises are exercises in which there is little to no movement around the spine. When you begin a core program, it is important to first build a solid foundation of stability. If you focus on stability first, you will make greater improvements in strength and speed. The Plank is a great core stabilization exercise.

Tip #8: Train for Strength Second

Once you have a good base of stability, shift to building strength. Strength exercises challenge your abdominal and back muscles through a large range of motion. Crunches on a Swiss Ball and lower back extension on a machine are good strength exercises.

Tip #9: Train for Power and Speed Third

Once you have a base of stability and strength, you can more efficiently develop your speed. In addition, if you have a strong foundation, you will be less likely to get injured and your performance will improve more quickly. Power exercises are done in a fast and explosive way. Medicine ball throws and jumping exercises help to develop the power of your core muscles.

Tip #10: Play with Different Core Exercise Equipment

There are many tools that can enhance your core workout. The Exercise Ball, Reebok Core Board, and the Bosu Ball are all great tools that can challenge your coordination and balance. When you exercise on less stable surfaces, your core muscles work even harder to stabilize your body.

Well, I hope those tips help to give you some ideas about how to improve your core workout.

When you are ready to start training, one of the best things you can do for your body is make sure to include compound movements. Compound movements, which will hit a variety of muscle groups at the same time, allow you to work out much more efficiently. By working several muscle groups at one time, you will burn more calories and build muscle tissue much more quickly than simply specializing on one at a time.

One favorite for many ab gurus is a compound movement called the hanging leg raise. This as a compound movement comes as a surprise to some because most people simply think of this as a simple ab exercise'An ab workout that usually hurts and is difficult that is, leading to many staying away from this extremely effective exercise.

So, what muscles are hit with hanging leg raises? Let's start with your grip. When you grab the bar to perform hanging leg raises, you will want to engage a strong grip. This will work to build superior grip and forearm strength, especially as your reps of hanging leg raises increase. Once you get to the point of doing 20 or more hanging leg raises, you might have to depend on your grip and forearm strength for a minute or more.

Secondly, once you engage your grip, squeeze your lats as well. Your lats will get a great workout during hanging leg raises and once you get used to performing them, you can keep your lats fully engaged throughout the entire exercise.

Moving on, the next part of your body that will benefit from this ?core? workout will be your hip flexors. These often overlooked areas of your core will get a terrific burn.

The last area to be hit will be your abdominals of course. Your abs will really receive a fantastic workout from hanging leg raises and those who start doing them regularly in their workouts often stop doing crunches altogether. The combination of the multiple muscle groups that are hit as well as the amazing ab workout you will get convert many to become solely devoted to this exercise as the basis of their core workout.

Performing hanging leg raises is simple. Simply grab onto a horizontal pull-up bar and hang. This first part is vital because this is the time you want to grip the bar tight and engage your lat muscles. Then, stabilize your core. Finally, slowly raise your knees to your chest and then bring them back down so that you are hanging fully extended once again. The first few times you perform hanging leg raises, your grip may fail before your abs do. This is fine because your abs and core will progress right along with your grip strength. Soon, you will be knocking out 15-20 hanging leg raises with ease. I can assure you this, by this time your core and specifically your abdominals will be REALLY strong. If you have been following a strict diet and doing some fat blasting cardio, you will probably own a seriously tight six pack.

There you have it, hanging leg raises. While others waste their time (and effort) by trying to focus on just their abs by performing hundreds of crunches, you can smile and know that just by knocking out 20 hanging leg raises, you will not only do more for your abs, but you will be hitting your entire core as well as other parts of your body as well.

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About Author

Both Charles Inniss & Emile are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Charles Inniss has sinced written about articles on various topics from Abdominal, Fitness and Lose Weight. Dr. Charles A. Inniss, Jr. is a physical therapist and personal trainer.For pictures of core exercises and free core workouts visit his website. Charles Inniss's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Emile has sinced written about articles on various topics from Abdominal, Fat Loss and Body Building. http://www.M2FitnessPros.com , aka, Emile Jarreau is 31 year veteran fitness professional and co-owner of MrFatLoss.com in Long Beach, California. Also having 19 years of bodybuilding and figure coaching experience, he specializes in fat loss and all i. Emile's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.