Just as a house is only as good as its foundations, your fitness is only as good as your core. A strong core – not to be confused with six pack abs – will stabilise you during exercise, improve your posture and help you master a host of different moves. We spoke to Dalton Wong, personal trainer and founder of TwentyTwo Training, about how to strengthen ours…
**Grazia Daily: Why is having a strong core so essential? **
Dalton Wong: “It is the stabilising structure that supports the hips, shoulders, back and knees.”
GD: Is a strong core the same as a flat tummy?
DW: “No, these are two different things. A flat tummy or six-pack means definition on the front of the body, whereas the core is the lower back and inside of the abdominals. A strong core also means having strong glutes and pelvic floor.”
**GD: Is it possible to have a strong core without having a flat stomach? And to have a flat stomach but not have a strong core? **
DW: “Yes, absolutely. You can be super-skinny and have low body fat but have a weak core. And vice versa: you can have a strong core but not be slim.”
**GD: What are the best forms of exercise to build a strong core? **
DW: “You need both to work on stabilising of your entire body and you need to work each muscle in a big way. It’s not all about tummy crunches - a proper deadlift will engage your tummy muscles, back muscles and leg and arm muscles to do the exercise. When you’re doing a push ups, it’s your core muscles that stops your back from not dropping to the floor, even though your arms and chest feel like they’re doing the work. Your tummy is keeping you in a straight line.’
GD: Can any exercises actually compromise our core strength?
DW: “Yes, poor form in an any exercise can damage the core.”
**GD: What’s the link between a strong core and good posture? **
DW “You need to be strong from the inside in order to hold the body up, so a strong core is essential for all round good posture.”
GD: We've heard strengthening your core can help with back problems?
DW: “Yes, the core is your inner supporting unit, so if this is weak you will have problems with your lower back.”
GD: How can having a strong core help us with other forms of exercise?
DW: “Think of it like a pyramid – if you have a strong core, you have a strong base. A strong core will enable you to run faster, reduce your risk of injury and will mean you can do your favourite sport for longer.”
GD: What common mistakes do women making when trying to work on their core?
DW: “They only tend to think about the superficial muscles, ie the six pack! You need a 360 degree approach which works the front, lower back and inner abdominal wall."