Core workouts. Why they matter and why you shouldn't skip them.

Our core muscle system is vital for supporting and stabilising our body when we move. When we reach, bend, twist, lift, sit, stand, step up, down and so on.  

It encompasses all of our abdominal muscles (rectus, obliques and deep transvers abdominus) our back (multifidus and erector spinae) the muscles of our pelvic floor at the bottom and diaphragm at the top. All them working in synch, as we move and breathe. 

Normally this is an unconscious process, but sometimes, and commonly after giving birth, a disconnect may occur. Our core may feel weak and unstable. We no longer feel the muscles firing, or sure what that even feels like.   We might be exercising - perhaps quite intensively, but our core muscles are not responding like before; they're not working optimally because we've simply... lost that connection. 

Now of course we can't regain that strength and stability if the muscles are not working optimally and we can't train them to work optimally, if our body is no longer talking to them!  This is why the core workouts (Core 1 especially) are absolutely vital.  It is where we find and reconnect with our core muscle system, and then start to strengthen.  We really want you to take time to get this bit so for this reason you will find Core 1 purposefully featured in Modules, 1, 2 and 3. 

But the core workouts don't seem very difficult.. maybe I just need to work harder?

Uh... NO.  Doing "more" or "harder" exercises on a core that is weak, is NOT going to make it stronger.  What happens instead, is that other muscle groups compensate.  So your hip flexors, or back muscles for instance, take up the strain... or not!  Because when intra abdominal pressure is just too much for these non-functioning muscles to withstand - they give in.  Leaking, prolapse, hernia and diastasis recti are all signs of a core that is not working optimally but definitely not a sign that you need to 'work them harder'! Read more on how to know when you’re ready to level up the intensity.

It's important to understand that 'core exercises' and 'working out' are not separate things.  Mindful movement patterns, that encompass good alignment, effective core engagement and breathing, are the very basis for exercising effectively. Your core workouts ARE exercise.  

But my gap is quite small do I still need to do them?

OK so technically you could start your intensives workouts sooner if your core is strong enough, but by taking things a little slower it will help ensure you are understanding the alignment, the breathing and engaging your core correctly. It’s a learning curve and you’re making adjustments for life – there’s no rush.