Core Training & Core Stability

Why Core Fitness?

Good core fitness ensures that the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen work in harmony - this essential area of your body is involved in every movement you make, from bending down to tie your shoes to gliding down a black run.

If, however, you have not been core training and your core fitness is poor, you are susceptible to poor posture, lower back pain and muscle injuries. Of course this can also mean you more easily lose balance, with potentially horrific results.

Importance for Winter Sports

Core stability and core fitness are particularly crucial for winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, as you will be working all four limbs as you fight for balance and control. It is essential that you pay attention to this area in the months leading up to your ski or snowboarding trip.

This means more than simply doing a few sit-ups once a week - you need a variety of exercises that you perform several times a week.

What Exercises for Your Core?

There are loads of great exercises out there that will work this area. Some of the most effective are done on an exercise ball which costs about £20 for a anti-burst one. Even the simple crunch becomes a real core strength builder when you add the instability of the ball.

All exercises should be performed with the abdominals pulled in tight, as though you are trying to pull your belly button towards your spine - and don't forget to breathe!

So know you have read the theory - why not check out some great exercises that will help you build your muscle strength and provide you with a good level of fitness.

Great Core Exercises

1. Bicycles
2. The Plank
3. Crunches on a ball

You can find all these exercise on our abs pages and then why not check out some of our fitness programs (beginner, intermediate and advanced) that we have designed for you to use pre-season in order to get yourself in tip top shape.

By Will Smith