Life Time Secrets to a Steady, Sexy Core
Life Time Group Fitness - May 23, 2012
Beach season is nearing — how is your midsection shaping up?
We spoke with two Group Fitness instructors who teach Core, a 30-minute class that tightens and tones through strength, movement and balance challenges using the core muscles. They offer helpful tips that will keep your abs steady -- and sexy -- this summer.
Britt Ringstrom, a personal trainer and instructor at our Chanhassen, Minn., location, says the key to a strong core is taking a balanced approach. The core, she noted, is more than the perfect six-pack.
“Our core is basically everything that wraps around our spine and extends out,” Britt explains. “It’s our support system and it’s what holds us upright all day. From the inner-most unit, the transverse abdominals, to our inner and outer obliques, each muscle plays a unique role when in different planes of motion.”
Britt suggests incorporating movements that can hold your core, as well as shorten and lengthen your core muscles, into your exercise routine. “Many people think simple sit-ups and crunches create a solid core. In fact, without additional work, those exercises will create a muscular imbalance. We don’t just do bicep curls and skip our triceps, right? Think balance!”
So, what are Britt’s 'must-do’ core exercises? Britt instructs her Personal Training clients to perform isometric planks, planks with movement, kettle bell swings, the hip bridge and the dead lift to sculpt a stable core.
Meg Adams, also based in Chanhassen, knows that your core can do more than attract a few hoots and hollers at the pool. “The core is important for all mobility in daily life, from picking up something to sitting upright.”
Meg has used many different tools to sculpt the core during her classes. One such tool is the stability ball, commonly sold at most local discount retailers. Meg encourages her students to complete a ball reverse crunch. When lying down, simply squeeze the ball between your legs, roll your knees toward your chest and then roll them back down after a short pause. Other tools used in Meg’s classes include the medicine ball and a step.
“As for repetitions, I instruct members to first listen to their bodies and then build on reps through a progressive series during class,” Meg says.
“I love teaching people and encouraging them to be and do their best,” Meg adds. “I also love the diversity in movement patterns that can improve athletic performance, which enhances our daily life.”
Want to add these tips to your core workout? Log on to myLT.com to check your local Group Fitness Schedule if you would like to attend a Core class.