A restore the core member found this important article that I thought I'd share with you!
Why Functional Fitness Is So Important
When following an exercise plan, a common mistake that people make is focusing on cardio
workouts but neglecting core and strength exercises. Unfortunately,
weak core muscles and poor flexibility increase a person's chances of
getting hurt. Even those who do conventional weight lifting may be
vulnerable to injury, since this type of exercise tends to isolate
muscle groups and train them in a manner that is not naturally
functional. In other words, the workout does not mimic everyday
activities, and it usually neglects the core muscles.
As a result, an increasing number of people are heading to their doctors with complaints characteristic of boomeritis: Lower back pain; rotator-cuff pain; hip, knee, wrist, ankle, and neck pain; tennis elbow; Achilles tendonitis; and shin splints are the most common ailments cited. The good news is that almost all of these are preventable.
In his South Beach Supercharged Fitness Program, Dr. Arthur Agatston, leading preventive cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet Supercharged, places as much importance on core-strengthening exercises as he does on cardio conditioning. Here's why:
Functional core-strengthening exercises
are similar to movements you execute in your daily life, and they
require you to use several muscle groups in one fluid movement. A
quality core-strengthening program will develop the muscles in the
back, abdomen, pelvis, and hips, and promote stability, strength, and
flexibility. For these reasons they are essential for preventing injury
and therefore maintaining a healthy weight.
It's important to know that even if you're diligent about cardio workouts, you still need something more to further improve muscle tone and bone density. That's why, in addition to the cardio
conditioning provided in the Interval Walking plan, the South Beach
Supercharged Fitness Program emphasizes functional fitness in the
program's Total Body Workout, which is designed to strengthen your core
and peripheral muscles. This will help you maintain strength, good
posture, and balance.
The core-functional exercises
featured in the South Beach Supercharged Fitness Program don't require
you to buy fancy equipment like balance boards and pulley-type machines
or to join a gym in order to see results. In fact, you won't need more
than a chair without arms or an exercise bench; a mat or thick towel to
protect your back and knees during floor exercises; optional light hand
weights; and an optional exercise step, also called an aerobic step or
a home exercise workout step.
This article just confirms why everyone should try restore the core!
Classes are held at various location across Houston.
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