It is quite common to hear people referring to their abdominal muscles as the core muscles. While this is partly true, your core muscles account for more than just your stomach muscles. Doing the right core exercises are the essential ingredient to developing a strong core, although of course things like creatine supplements and whey protein dont hurt. Having a strong core is essential in all sorts of everyday tasks as well as sport. Playing sports without good core strength will leave you highly vulnerable to injury.

There are several muscles which are classed as core muscles. Abs and obliques are the best known but the gluteus maximus, various hip muscles and back muscles are also part of this group. Essentially when we look at this muscle group you will see it covers the entirety of the middle of the body.

The transverse abdominals are the strongest muscle group in your stomach. A huge number of motions rely on these abdominal muscles including twisting and flexing around the waist. They are also important in protecting the vital organs. Many people will argue that the transverse abdominals are the most important of the core muscles to train. Your obliques are found to the side of your waist and link up to your ribcage. They let us twist and tilt, which along with the transverse abdominals, give us our full range of motion in our waist. You will probably known your rectus abdominus (if you can see them) as the six pack. When not looking stunning this is important for protecting your pelvis and spine.

Moving downward to the hip muscles and the Ilio-psoas which are found at the top front of your leg. They join in the top of the thigh and extend up through the pelvis and in to the lower spine. Their most important role though is in powering the upper leg. The modern, sedentary lifestyle which involves a lot of sitting down causes these muscles to be fairly short, this can cause lower back pain. Lower back discomfort in later life can be avoided by exercising these muscles. Also known as the jacksie, your gluteus maximus is at the back of your body and is also one of the largest muscles in the body. Instrumental in the movement of the legs these muscles are essential. Despite their size these muscles are often not that strong and can definitely benefit from exercise.

The key to a good core is both strength and suppleness. By developing the strength of each muscle you will be able to access this strength and your body will be able to function to the best of its abilities. Any kind of twisting motion will exercise your core.