How’s your core?

Is it the abdomen or stomach?

Polls reveal that when asked about their core, most people immediately think of their abs. But your core is actually composed of 6 groups of 29 muscles located in your upper thigh, lower back, and the sides and front of your stomach.

Believe it or not, it’s possible to possess a strong core beneath layers of fat. While this piece of information is good to know, how can you tell if your core is weak or strong?

If you experience frequent tightness and/or pain in your lower back, a weak core could be a part of the problem. Since core muscles also protect your spine, poor posture is sometimes a sign of a weak core. Do you slouch when you stand or sit? This might be because your core muscles are weak and cannot support your upper body for extended periods of time.

What does balance have to do with a healthy core?

An accompanying question to ‘how’s your core?’ is ‘how’s your balance?’ A strong core goes hand in hand with good balance. To test it, stand with your feet 6 to 8 inches apart. Close your eyes and lift one of your feet up off of the floor. (Alternate and test the other foot). A strong core will allow you to stay in this position for a minimum of 10 seconds. If not, work on your core muscles.

A few final tips

You can also take a simple breathing test that will indicate the strength of your core. While standing, take a deep breath. Hold for a second and then exhale. When you begin exhaling, compress your stomach back towards your spine as far as you can possibly go. If you cannot hold this pose for at least 10 seconds, your core needs strengthening.

Here’s another indicator. Lie face down on the floor. Supporting yourself on your forearms, with your elbows at a 90 degree angle, straighten your spine from your neck to your ankles. If you cannot hold this position for at least 50 or 60 seconds, your core will benefit from a little attention. Consider adopting this 7 minute core workout: WebMD.com

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