Why Functional Ab Training Is So Important

If you ask your average gym member what their ‘core’ is, you’d probably get a pretty simplistic response. In fact, most people might hear the word core and think only of the vaunted ‘six-pack’. But as fitness professionals know, our cores consist of a whole lot more than just our abdominal muscles.  In fact, check out this list of all the muscles in the core group (courtesy of Active.com):

  • Hip adductors
  • Gluteus Medius
  • Gluteus Minimus
  • Erector Spinae
  • Rectus Abdominis
  • Gluteus Maximus
  • Hamstrings
  • Piriformis
  • Hip Flexors
  • Transverse Abdominals
  • Internal Oblique
  • External Oblique
  • Multifidus

Yikes!  Bet you weren’t expecting a lesson in Latin. 

But this is important. The functional movement of all of these muscles is key to not only athletic performance, but to everyday life. According to Men’s Journal, “the core makes up nearly half the body and includes all muscles that attach to the pelvis and spine. Run, jump, twist, bend, or brace, and those muscles must fire in concert.” (Make sure to check out their article for a GREAT illustration of how these muscles work together to power you through day-to-day life).

So we’ve outlined the importance of all of the core muscles; but how can you help your gym members to make sure they’re getting the best functional core workout possible?  The key is recommending a diverse, easy to follow routine that works all or most of these muscles in unison. Check out these quick and effective workouts from The Abs Company Virtual Trainers to help you get your members started on the fast track to a healthy, strong core:

Core & Booty Workout From Jessica Guevara

Quick Core Workout With Cippo

And of course, you need innovative & effective core training equipment for your gym members, look no further than The Abs Company.  Here are two of our most popular core training machines that are helping gyms around the world.

The AbsBench™ X3

The AbCoaster® CS3000

Do you have a killer functional core workout to recommend?  We’d love to hear about it.  Email me at Ryan@theabscompany.com and have your workout featured in one of our next blog posts!