The importance of Core Training

So much emphasis is put on Core Training, whether it is for general fitness, rehabilitation or sport performance. Why? Because it is your body's foundation for movement, power, stabilisation, protection......and a dysfunctional core is leaving you open to injury. In surfing terms, THINK how you can improve your power, performance, strength and stabilisation that is required while you are riding the wave of your life and think core training.

The core represents the entire torso (including the internal organs). It is very complex and has many vital functions, including protecting your central nervous system and supporting your internal organs as well as stabilization and connecting your upper and lower body to function in an integrated fashion.

As an old saying goes "you can't fire a cannon from a canoe" (Paul Chek). Just think of the canoe, oh and where the cannonball would or wouldn't go!! So stabilization begins at the core before moving out to the limbs. If your core isn't working, then you cannot effectively stabilize your core or limbs and are far more likely to be injured, in particular the lower back . Core training is essential for anyone, sports person, pro athlete, to general office worker.

There is so much info with regards to Core Stability, training, strength, function, that I would be here until next year to tell you about it, but if you have never been taught core training before then I would definitely head to your nearest qualified fitness trainer and find out more.

Practicing the following will help you in the right direction and will assist you to when you start to perform functional and core exercises to boost your performance.

So down on all 4's and give it a go........

4-Point Drawing-In Manoeuvre

• Assume a 4 point position with your hips over your knees and your shoulders over your hands.
• The abdominal wall should be relaxed while maintaining a neutral spine alignment.
• Take a deep breath in and let your belly drop towards the floor
• Exhale and draw your belly button in toward your spine (activating the TVA muscle), while keeping your back in the start position.
• The client must maintain neutral spinal alignment throughout and should be no movement form the spine.
• Hold for as long as you comfortably can
• Repeat up to 10 reps

NOTE: Can also be performed standing or sitting in a neutral spinal posture.

If you want a programme or training to improve your Surf Fitness then email us at info@surf-fit.co.uk
More details on Personal Fitness Training at www.miss-fit.co.uk

Before performing any exercise please read » this «