Saturday, September 28, 2013

THE WHY AND THE WHAT OF CORE TRAINING FOR RUNNERS..... VIDEOS OF EXERCISES INCLUDED! (These exercises are for anyone, actually!)

What is your core exactly?  The core includes ABS, LOWER BACK, OBLIQUES and GLUTES. WHY do you want to strengthen the core if you are a runner?  (Or really, for daily life!)
Core workouts will help you with your posture. This is important for runners, because as you fatigue, you tend to slouch forward and down, thereby compressing the diaphragm, which leads to improper breathing.  A strong core also increases energy efficiency which effects your overall performance.  "TotalPerformancePT.com" explains why core strength is so important, not just for runners, but for everyone:  
If you do not have a strong and stable core, you are making yourself more prone to injury. Before we can initiate any sort of movement, as small as lifting our arm or as big as throwing a baseball, our core muscles should be the first to fire. The core muscles must fire first to create a stable base for our body to generate movement from.  If these muscles do not fire first there is increased instability in our spine and midsection leading to the loss of potential energy and overcompensation of our more distal musculature. 
How often should you perform core exercises?  At first, I suggest on workout days or right after a run, but soon you could work it up to everyday!  I suggest 100 core repetition exercises, working up to everyday.  I also suggest to make 20 of those exercises 'lower back' exercises, which you will find videos of below:
I am including a video for each section of the core.  Stay strong!  Stay fit and ROCK YOUR CORE!!! 
*****THESE EXERCISES ARE FOR ANYONE!  NOT JUST RUNNERS!!! ******
NOTE--- NOT EVERY EXERCISE IN EACH VIDEO WILL BE FOR YOU. CHOOSE THE ONES THAT ARE THE RIGHT ONES FOR YOU!!!

1.  ABDOMINAL EXERCISES, MANY OF WHICH ALSO WORK LOWER BACK AND OBLIQUES AS WELL:
This first one if for beginners:
These are all on the ground exercises:
These are abdominal exercises performed on the ground and standing:
These are standing up only abdominal exercises:

2.  OBLIQUE EXERCISES:
 3. LOWER BACK EXERCISES,WHICH ALSO GET THE GLUTES IN THE PROCESS:

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