Does Core Training for the Abdominals Work?

A few facts about getting an abdominal six pack withIs training your core the fastest way to getting a six
core training.pack of attention grabbing rippling abs? Absolutely not.
You hear a lot about core training these days. There isCore training makes your core stronger, more
a lot of truth to what you are seeing however as perconditioned and more muscular. This is a great thing
most things in the media, its getting a little far out.and everyone that wants pain free optimum
Almost daily in the gym I see trainers getting peopleperformance needs a strong core. However, getting
onto swiss balls, standing on one foot, rubbing theiryour abs to show in the mirror is a result of getting the
tummy with one hand and patting their heads with thefat off them. Take off the fat blanket and voila, there
other. Well not really but you get the point.are your abs.
The fact of the matter is that without a strong core,Do you think a 359 pound Olympic lifter that can pull
you have to power and are susceptible to injuries. The551 pounds from the floor and then stand up with it
methods to getting a strong core however are a lotoverhead has a strong core? The answer is yes
less complex then some people are making it.without a single doubt. Does that lifter have a set of
Core training in of itself is a simple concept. You arestrong and well developed abs? Again the answer is
working the diaphram, multifidus transverse abdominis,yes. Now for the kicker. Can you see them? Nope.
and pelvic floor deep inside. On the exterior you haveNot even a hint of a six-pack to be seen anywhere.
the prime movers. These are the more visible onesHis abdominals are covered by a layer of fat.
that everyone wants to see.So then if fastest way to getting a visible, beach ready
If you work movements such as the overhead liftssix pack is through fat loss, then how do we do that?
that directly involve the spine you are on the fast trackYou burn off fat by creating a small calorie deficit
to productive core training. Yes, the stability ball has itsthrough several factors including a proper eating plan,
uses but there are limits and when the complexity ofexercising your WHOLE body with multi joint, multi
the movement exceeds the effective results you candimensional movements like the clean and press or
stimulate with it you are heading down the "fadoverhead squat and including some high intensity
gimmick route".cardio.
Looking out at the gym floor and watching theIf this is really the case, then why is everyone and their
infomercials you can see that it's getting crazy.dog selling core training? Answer: Because everyone
Granted, most of the movements are a hoot to tryand their dog is willing to buy a promised shortcut to
and fun to play with on an off day, but that in itselfthe land of easy six packs.
does not make them the most effective methods. ItReally effective training is simple, but simple doesn't
makes them fun to do with a beneficial side effect.mean easy.