Keep Those Core Muscles In Shape

There are 4 important areas of the body resposible for framing the posture which give you overall strength for all physical activities. These areas are:

1. abdominals
2. obliques
3. lower back
4. glutes

Strength in these areas give you the ability to walk, move, and do all of the physical activities you do everyday. If they are not kept strong throughout your life, as you age into later years, you can find yourself a stooped over old man or woman some day!

The secret is stretching.

You should work these core muscles with your regular exercise at least twice per week for 10 to 20 minutes, working those of the top and front of the truck of the body, which includes those in the abdominal area. In doing so, you also strengthen the back all the way up the spine, the hip and thigh areas.

After your regular daily workouts, end it with these core muscle stretching movements. It can relax any muscles you may have 'overused' and enhance your overall flexibility.

It is important to do these exercises slowly, rather than doing rapid, bouncing routines. Do stretching motions slowly in static positions, not like running or jumping.

When your body stiffens from sitting at your computer, sewing, reading or other such extended, almost motionless tasks, use slow stretching (static) exercises to work out that stiffness. When you do this, both your muscles and connective tissues become more flexible. It lengthens these muscles that have become contracted.