Core stability vs core strength.
Everyone is talking about the importance of “core stability” and it’s a hot topic within fitness and healthcare. In the truest form, think of core stability as the development of dynamic control of your body.
Our “core” is a dynamic structure that needs to be able to adapt depending on different demands. This is true whether you are an athlete, a dancer or even just performing active daily living. Your core needs to assist you to keep balance, but also needs to allow your body to move seamlessly through positions while you perform dynamic tasks.
Core Strength or Core Stability?
You can scour the internet for various “core strength” programs, but it is important that we understand exactly what we are trying to achieve by doing a particular exercise. I bet you keep hearing that you need to have “core strength” and “strong abdominals”, so before you start sucking your belly buttons in, doing more sit-ups, planks or crunches, let’s look at what core stability is.
True core stability is NOT:
A six pack.
Numerous repetitions of sit ups.
Holding a plank for an extended period.
Keeping all your abdominal muscles contracted throughout exercises.
True core stability IS:
The ability to control the spine dynamically.
Fine coordination of all the muscles that control your trunk – not just the abdominals.
The ability to adjust the level of control needed depending on the situation.
Creating a stable base off which to work the limbs.
Keeping the spine and pelvis stable in position to allow smooth and effective transfer of forces through the body.
So why am I rambling on about core stability?
Well, you will be hard-pressed to find an exercise practice that addresses this concept better than Pilates does. Pilates integrates these concepts of core activation, stability, and endurance into your movement patterns thoughtfully and intentionally.
It does take time, patience, repetition, and perseverance, but once you can control core stability well, the rest of your muscles will be able to function so much better and your body will work more efficiently!
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