When someone asks if you have a strong core, you’re most likely to think about one specific region of your body, right? We used to call training this area “doing abs” and now a more popular term is “core work”. Without a doubt, this group of muscles is very important for performing most physical abilities. But is it your true core?
Most people agree that this group of muscles includes not only all your abdominal muscles but also those of your low back and spine, hips, and pelvis. Its primary role is that of spinal stability and maintaining safe and stable movements above and below the abdomen. So, if you think of the body as a two-dimensional line from head to toe, then this standard core is located in the middle, or center of that line (kind of like the pivot point of a seesaw).
Obviously, these “core” muscles do some twisting as well, so they’re not completely 2D, but if we consider the definition of the word core and apply it to a 3D structure, it paints a different picture.
Core: The central or most important part of something.
If you visualize the human body’s actual central framework, you’ll see its skeleton. Bones are connected to bones via ligaments, tendons, and muscles of course. But what it really comes down to is the strength, stability, flexibility, and mobility of your skeletal joints that determine how physically ‘fit’ and functional the rest of your body will be.
The saying goes, “You can’t shoot a cannon out of a canoe.” Our larger muscles have such great potential for strength and power that they often out-perform the capabilities of their corresponding joints i.e., your True Core. Learning how to increase blood flow and nutrition properly and safely to your tendons and ligaments is an absolute game changer for reducing chronic joint pain and enhancing your body’s holistic physical fitness levels.
If you’d like help with turning your canoe into a battleship or would like to learn how to ‘bullet proof’ your joints for exercising and/or everyday life activities, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 😊
