The Best Beginner Abs Workouts
Master Pack Abs Workout Routine
HOW YOUR CORE CONTROLS MOVEMENT
Your core provides functional movement across all three planes of motion:
The Sagittal Plane – This divides the body into two halves and weight and movement are transferred up and down along a straight line. Think Thrusters, Squats and Cleans
The Coronal Plane – Here the plane divides the body into front and back and includes all sideways movements. Lateral lunges are a good example of this.
Transverse Plain – Movements along this plane split the body into a top and bottom half. Russian Twists are an exercise that moves along the Transverse Plain.
Your core stabilises and controls all your movement, so think now about a WOD involving heavy Squat Cleans, Handstand walks and legless rope climbs. Each of these exercises requires your core to stabilise and control your body in a different way, and will test its functional capability.
PERFORMING WITHOUT INJURY
Developing a strong core is an incredibly effective measure for preventing you from getting hurt. Athletes with higher core stability have a lower risk of injury, as they are able to operate with strong and controlled movement patterns. When a powerful core is combined with the results of dedicated mobility and strength work, then you start looking at the foundations of a very well rounded athlete.
Understanding this also helps to create a mentality that looks towards long term health. A strong core will not only make you a better athlete now, but will help reduce the risk of injury in the future as well.
image sources
- the-best-abs-workouts: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.
