Introduction
If you type in “bulletproof core” into a Google search bar, you can get eight million results in under a second – all with links to articles and blogs about how to gain those movie star abs and fast. However, your core is so much more than just the flashy abs that most people desire. Think of your core as a link between the upper and lower body. Every time you hit a tennis ball, the motions that are required to do so flow through your core. Any weakness in the link between the upper and lower body (the core area) can slow movements and take power away from the shot. A properly built, strong core enhances stability, prevents injury, and can even crank up the power on the winning tennis shot.
3 Benefits of Strengthening Your Core
- A Strong Core Helps Prevent Injuries: A strong core stabilizes your body, allows for better energy transfer both from the lower body to the upper body, as well as during rotational movements. A strong and stable core region can allow for the right movement patterns in other joints as well. This can provide you with a more optimum energy transfer pathway. It also allows for more control and stability while training.
- A Strong Core Can Alleviate Back Pain: When you train your core muscles, it stabilizes your lower back. A strong core also gives the body the necessary support to sit up straight, taking the pressure off of your back to support good posture.
- A Strong Core Enhances Performance: As I mentioned in the introduction, the core muscles are connected to both the upper and lower body. When you exercise your core, your cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls spatial awareness and balance) is stimulated and it can impact balance and stability. This allows for potential improvement in speed, flexibility, and power during training and matches.
Sample Exercises to Obtain a Bulletproof Core
Now that we have convinced you that strengthening your core can take your game to the next level, check out the videos below for some different exercises. Keep in mind, these exercises may be basic, but they still require good form! As simple as they look, most athletes struggle to perform these with quality technique and under fatigue.
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