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So just what are the “core muscles” that we keep hearing about?  Good question!  The core is actually a group of several different muscle groups, all of which help to stabilize our bodies and help promote movement.  In the December 2007 issue of “Strength and Conditioning Journal”, Jeffry Willardson describes the core as the link between the upper and lower body.

Although it’s often just thought of as the stomach, there are a few different muscle groups that make up the core.

1.  First, the abdominals, or “abs”.  The abs are made up of several smaller groups of muscles in and around the stomach.

The rectus abdominus is what we usually think of when we think of abs.  They are the six-pack muscles, the paired muscles running down the middle of the stomach.

Image from Wikipedia.com

Next in the ab group are the transverse abdominus.  It is the deepest of the major core muscles and provides pelvic stability and helps pregnant women in delivery.

Image from Wikipedia.org

The obliques run along the side of the stomach.  They help with inhaling and exhaling and with rotation and side-bending.

Image from http://www.exrx.net/Muscles/Obliques.html

The back muscles, or erector spinae, is a collection of paired muscles and tendons that run vertically along the spine.  The back muscles play a big role in stability, and are prone to injury.

Image from Wikipedia.org

Of course this is just a basic overview.  There are many, many muscles that contribute to a strong core, but these are the groups that I’ll focus on to help you achieve a strong, healthy, functional core.

References

Bowden, Brian. “What Are the Core Muscles of the Body?” LIVESTRONG.COM. 3 May 2011. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/98988-core-muscles-body/>.

“Erector Spinae Muscles.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erector_spinae_muscles>.

“Internal Obliques.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_obliques>.

“Rectus Abdominis Muscle.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectus_abdominis_muscle>.

Willardson, Ph. D., Jeffry. “Core Stability Training for Healthy Athletes: A Different Paradigm for Fitness Professionals.” Strength and Conditioning Journal (2007). Print.