Core training is still one of the most talked about fitness topics. Whether it is an athlete looking to improve their overall performance or an ordinary Joe or Joanne looking to tone up and get a little fitter, core training is frequently at the heart of their workout regime. When we talk about core training there are certain pictures that come immediately to mind.

One of the first things that many people think of is someone doing crunches with the aid of a Swiss or stability ball. Or of someone doing a rollout with a ball.  Or it could be as simple as someone doing planks.

It doesn’t really matter that much what comes to mind. The goal of core training is to strengthen and stabilize the trunk of the body. When we begin to train someone we will use a number of basic techniques that anyone will recognize as being core strength training drills before moving on to other exercises. Are clients are then puzzled as to how their core keeps on getting stronger when they aren’t doing the drills they recognize.

The reason for this is that all drills are chose on a number of select criteria. Core drills are no different and are simply the means to get to the next phase of the training program rather than being the ultimate goal. After all, athletes don’t win prizes for being able to complete crunches or planks.

If we are scaling back on obvious core strength drills, how does it keep on getting stronger? If we aren’t using traditional methods are we putting less emphasis on it than we should be?

In answer to the second question we are in fact putting much more emphasis on it through the choice of exercise we recommend. In addition whenever we focus on maintaining a stable core while the limbs are moving around it automatically puts a certain amount of stress on the core and helps to train it effectively.

The goal of most core training exercises is to create as much power as possible while still maintain a neutral spine position. Think about doing bicep curls with dumbbells while trying to balance a class of water on your head. With no weights it would be easy for most people to do.  However as the exercise is repeated with larger and heavier weights the glass will eventually become unsteady and fall.

Traditional training methods are based on building strength in the extremities and certain core strength exercises. Typically bicep curls, sit-ups and leg presses while using stability balls or other exercise aids. Our approach is different as we only train the extremities to the limits dictated by the core. This is a far safer approach and one that allows for more effective training methods and techniques.

So when you are next in the gym and wondering what is the best way to train you core you only need to keep two things in mind. The first of these is maintaining a neutral spine position and secondly imagine working out with a glass of water on your head. If you can keep these two points in mind, you will begin to see results almost immediately.