The Most Important Exercises

No fitness program is complete without core-strengthening exercises.  It’s the most important set of exercises in your entire routine.  A strong and well-balanced core allows you to do all your other exercises and get the most benefit out of them.

The Heart of the Core – the deep muscles of the transverse abdominals – wraps around the trunk like a corset.  It attaches the lower ribs, diaphragm, and lumbar spine to the hips In effect, it ties the rib cage and upper body to the pelvis and lower body.  It keeps you firmly “connected.”  It also stabilizes the body, protects the spinal column and provides support for the various physical activities we perform.
Read about the importance of strengthening the core muscles in Back Surgery – Avoid the Nightmare.

Major muscles of the core are shown above.  They include muscles of the pelvic floor, lower back and diaphragm (not shown).  When you do your core exercises, these are the muscles strengthened. 

A. Serratus anterior;  B. Transverse abdominal;  C. Internal oblique;  D.  External oblique;  

E.  Aponeurosis of the ext. oblique;  F.  Linea alba;  G. Tendinous insertion;  H.  Rectus abdominus.