Core is SO important and I used to do a nice job of including it in my workouts, but the truth is, it should be a foundation of our workouts, not something we just do at the end. YOU can work your core muscles everyday without fatigue. They are strong suckers.
Trail running recruits more muscles than running on even ground because our full body & all muscles are engaged in covering the uneven terrain.
Strengthening our core allows our lower body to work more efficiently and from the center of our power. Balance and stability core work like on a stability ball, plank, yoga and pilaties are great workouts because they allows us to focus on posture at the same time as strength and stability.
Here's a run down of what I am doing with a few new ( to me) fun moves!
Plank: 60 seconds x 3
oblique crunches with stability ball: 30 each side
crunches with medicine ball at back: 45-60
Stability ball lower ab roll: 30 (VIDEO!)
Stability ball bridge with hamstring roll: 15-20
(depending on my running, my legs may not handle more than 15-20 reps.)
Woodchopper with medicine ball: 20 each side
When doing the woodchopper you should keep your knees slightly bent, feet hip distance apart and hips facing forward. Your hips shouldn't move, you want to twist in the obliques as you lift a medicine ball or free weights up and then across your body down to your side.
DON'T always look down like me, sheesh Mary!
The stability ball bridge with hamstring roll begins with your feet and calves on the ball as you lay on your back. Lift your hips up into a bridge and pull your feet toward your butt, leading with the heels. Lift your hips to keep the bridge as you roll the ball and then return it.
Stability ball Lower ab roll:
What a treat, a vlog for your Thursday!
Do you focus on core or is it something you need to work on TOO?
Stability ball Lower ab roll: