Many people engage in core strengthening to get those infamous abs or the much sought after six-pack! Your core acts as a stabiliser and helps transfer forces placed on the body. The core can be trained in isolation doing crunches or back extensions, and with functional movements like deadlifts, overhead squats, and push-ups. There is not just one single muscle responsible for your core strength, the abdominal region is composed of several key muscles that contribute to core function. These include the obliques, transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis among others. Check out this great video which demonstrates the key muscles at work during the sit-up exercise and visualise your muscles as you work out!!
Obliques: Rotate your torso and work with the transversus abdominis to support your centre during movement.
Rectus Abdominis: The contracted rectus abdominis form the “six-pack.” While it helps stabilise your core, its main function is to flex or curl the trunk.
Transversus Abdominis: This deep muscle acts like an internal weight belt wrapping laterally around your centre.
Psoas Major/Iliacus: These hip flexors lift the thigh toward the abdomen and limit excess movememt of the hip.
Erector Spinae: These muscles straighten the back and support the spine along with the multifidus muscle.
