Core Values: Why it’s Important to Keep Our Core Strong




A group of women exercising.

If you Google a definition for the word “core,” one reads something like “the central or most important part of something.” That definition may be all you need to know about why it’s important to strengthen the core muscles in your body. Your core muscles are around your trunk and pelvis and play a huge role in your overall physical health.

Core Muscles Improve Balance

The muscles in your core need to work well to keep you moving in a healthy, efficient way. This is helpful on the field, court, ice or other athletic venues, but isn’t only important for athletes. “It’s easy to overlook the importance of a stable core,” said Albi Gilmer, facility manager for the rehabilitation department at Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. “But having your core muscles working proficiently can make you less susceptible to an injury that may come from even day-to-day activities.”

Great Benefit for the Active and Not-So-Active

The benefits of a strong core aren’t solely for those who are bending, lifting and twisting on a regular basis. Even if you spend more time sitting at your desk than you do in the gym or running 5ks, a stable core will serve you well. “In the clinic, we often see patients who have a gradual onset of pain in their back without knowing the cause. The culprit is commonly thought to be at least partially due to inactivity,” says Gilmer. “From my experience, back pain certainly occurs less in those who demonstrate that they have good core stability.”

Strong Core Muscles Will Help with Posture

A stable core is one way to improve your posture, which offers many health benefits. Aside from the aesthetically pleasing, more confident appearance that comes with good posture, it can also create less wear and tear on your spine and allow you to breathe more deeply.

Help Regulate Body Weight

Exercises that strengthen your core can help you lose inches around your abdomen, and also contribute to regulating your body weight. Core exercises alone won’t likely lead to extensive weight loss, but they can help.

Adding core muscle exercises to your routine will have significant benefits to your overall health. If you do sustain an injury and need help, call us at  850.916.8700 or visit AndrewsInstitute.com for more information. Andrews Institute has more than 30 physicians specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine along with a robust rehabilitation department with locations across Northwest Florida.

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