Tip of the Week: The Exercise that Gives you a Strong, Stable Core!

When I talk about your “core” muscles, I’m including your abdominals, obliques and lower back. Ensuring that these muscles are strong, stable (and let’s face it, in shape) is the best way to prevent any type of injury. When you lift heavy objects, perform any type of physical activity and even do day-to-day tasks, having a strong core helps you do these things with ease and lessens the possibility of pulling a muscle or sending you back to PT (physical therapy).

Most of us don’t have a strong core because we don’t intentionally engage those muscles – ever. There is a misconception that you must do 1,000 situps and crunches every day to have strong abdominal muscles, and this just isn’t true. Would I everrecommend doing something so tedious? I don’t think so.

Here’s the deal: Having a strong core is easier to achieve than you think. You need only perform the Plank hold (as indicated in the video above) three times in a row, once or twice a week. You can add more “core work” to your routine if you’re feeling frisky, but this is the number one move I recommend. Do this until you gain some momentum on your exercise plan.

The Plank Hold is a commonly used pose or exercise in yoga and Pilates classes. When you do it, you’ll feel your body being challenged in more way than one – you feel it in your abdominals, obliques, lower back, butt, legs and shoulders. And, you can do this move ANYWHERE – your home, office, hotel room and yes, at the gym!

I challenge you to practice this move right now. Step away from the computer, get down on your hands and knees and lift up on to your toes. See if you can hold the Plank for 20 seconds…you’ll be surprised at how good it feels!

I hope you’ll continue to do the Plank every week because having a strong, stable core is essential to increased strength, performance and a smaller waist.

Have fun!

Tip Challenge:

Did you try the Plank Hold? How long could you hold it?

Are you willing to commit to integrating the Plank into your weekly exercise schedule?

If you decide to take this challenge, you can earn a point by reporting it on the PCOS Inner Circle Forum (you’ll see which forum to choose).

For every 10 points you earn, you will receive a 10% discount off Freedom from PCOS® products and services*!Click here to create a free membership and report your progress in the PCOS Inner Circle!