Core strength is often overlooked as a part of physical fitness, but maintaining adequate core strength is essential regardless of what other physical training programs or exercises one may participate in. Core conditioning is often confused with merely strengthening one’s abs. In reality, core strength and core stability involve much more than just abs, as muscles from along the spine to the rib cage, waist, and pubic bone are all involved in maintaining a strong and stable core. Why build core strength, you wonder? Core strength exercises vastly improve your athletic performance in general, they are critical for good back health and the reduction or elimination of back pain, and they improve both posture and overall agility.

Before you start wondering whether you can afford to get into a regular routine of core strengthening exercises, some of the best core workouts are quite easy and do not require any kind of expensive equipment or even gym membership. One of the best ways to introduce these exercises into your routine is known as “the plank” — you get into a position with your toes and forearms firmly on the floor, while keeping your body in as straight a line as possible, with your head looking down. You can start by staying in this position for a little bit — 10-15 seconds at a time — and gradually working yourself up to 30-60 seconds. It is surprising how much this simple exercise — merely assuming this position regularly and trying to stay in it consistently– can do for your overall core strength and stability.

Basic push-ups, which you can also do at home, are very good at building core strength, as are squatting, planking on a balance ball (which can be obtained very cheaply at most department stores), and variations on the planking exercise, such as side planking and planking with arms and/or legs raised. For more in-depth discussions and specifics about different exercises, be sure to check out some of the resources under “Core Conditioning Links.”