3 Biggest Core Strength Myths

3 Core Strength Myths

Over the years potential clients or my coaching clients at some point have either asked me how they could get 6 pack Abs or asked how can they get a stronger core because they either have back issues or want to prevent it. Now, unfortunately in the fitness industry their is a ton of information out there and some if it is just not accurate. So today my goal is to debunk 3 Core Strength Myths that I commonly hear and see posted on the web!

Myth #1 – The Core is just your abdominal muscles 

When you hear someone mention or reference the core do you think they are referring to the abdominals? Most people I speak with think that the core consists of only the abdominals. And although you would be correct somewhat, the core consists of much more than your abs. Now not to get too scientific with you but the core consists of a lot more. Major muscles included are the pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae(sacrospinalis) especially the longissimus thoracis, and the diaphragm. Minor core muscles include the latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, and trapezius.

So you can see that the core is much more than just your abs!

Myth #2 – If I have a Strong Core, I’ll Have a Flat Stomach or 6 Pack Abs

Sorry to disappoint you but you could do crunches all day long 7 days a week and you still might not have the 6 pack ab look you are shooting for. The reason is because actually how lean your stomach is and the showing of your abdominal muscles has much more to do with your nutrition thanks the strength of your abdominals.

You may have heard it before but sound nutritional habits and diet have a much greater impact on you looking lean and losing weight than the actually performing of the exercise.

The funny thing is I once had a client that told me I don’t care what exercises we do throughout the 50 minutes of our session but the last 5 -10 all I want us to focus on is my abs. Well, after several weeks she said to me that she was upset because she was not seeing results and getting the cut look with her abs. She told me this was unsatisfactory to her and she was going to quit. I asked her if she had changed her diet like we talked about and she said, “not really!” Well we had a heart to heart and after me finally convincing her and telling her  that we could do ab exercises all day long and but unless you change your diet your not going to see the results you want. Finally she changed and eventually saw some results but again it came down to her nutrition more than the doing of the exercises.

Myth #3 – A Strong Core Helps Prevent and Reduce Lower Back Pain 

I have to admit that earlier in my coaching career I believed this to be true. However, after working with some chiropractors and me always conning my education I began to understand more about the movement and function of the body and how low back pain can be more than just a weak core. In honesty there could be a million different reasons for lower back pain. And although this may seem counterintuitive actually doing more exercises like crunches can lead to a higher risk of back pain. In the video below Dr. Stuart McGill does a really good job of explaining how flexing the spine repeatedly can lead or eventually cause a disk bulge. I love this quote from him in the video, “Optimal back health doesn’t come from doing nothing, it comes from doing the perfect optimal amount, not too much and not too little.”

Now if you are looking to get a leaner, healthier and stronger core I have a solution for you. It is what I call the “6 Days to a Stronger Core Challenge.” All you have to do is click on the image below and sign up to get you started on a strong and leaner core!

In Health,

Coach Dave