This is the last piece of the “REAL Core Training” article series and here we will discuss the progressions from your basic core training, to some of the most advanced core training exercises.

If you haven’t read PART I or PART II I suggest you do that first (just click the links) as those provide the foundational principles and exercises that must be mastered first before incorporating advanced core exercises into you training program…well at least if you don’t want to risk a disc herniation, vertebral fracture or a low back that is tighter than a fat man in a woman’s tennis uniform!

 

(ebaumsworld.com)

Ya, that actually happened this year at Wimbledon!

So once you have mastered the basics, and have built a solid foundation that will not crumble under new and more intense movements, it is time to take your core training game up a notch. Like any other body part and movement, you must increase the demand or stimulus over time to continue progress.  

What follows are a few ways to progress the standard core exercises (plank, anti-rotation press, side plank) with a few examples.

 

1. Remove a Point of Stability

With the standard plank you have four solid points of contact with the ground. Those points are your two arms (or forearms) and your two feet. By removing one of the points of contact you reduce the stability the system as a whole, and challenge your core now to control more than one plane of movement. 

This takes the plank which is primarily an anti-extension exercise and makes it an anti-extension and anti-rotation exercise…so ya, way harder!

The goal now is to prevent the hips from shifting or rotating side to side, while you continue to prevent them from sagging to the ground (low back from arching). 

Plank Row

 

Plank Leg Lift

 

DB Plank Row

 

2. Make the Lever Longer

With the standard plank the arms/forearms are right beneath the shoulders at a 90 degree angle. Now if you take your arms and move them out overhead, the length of the lever you need to control (the length of your body) becomes longer making it much more challenging to prevent the hips from sagging, tipping forward and the low back from arching. 

The goal is to maintain the “zipper up” or “tail tuck” position throughout the entire exercise. If you start to feel pressure in the lower back you have likely slipped into anterior tilt at the hips and over extension at the lower back. Stop short of this, and work to get stronger and move further into the outreached position.

 

SB Rollout

 

Abwheel Rollout

 

TRX Fallout

 

3. Add Different Directions and Quicker Movements

With the anti-rotation press adding different directions of pull with the cable requires you now to control both extension and flexion, as well as rotation. 

Anti-Rotation Press Up Down

The anti-rotation press up down is a progression of the standard anti-rotation press that enhances the benefits of the exercise. Those being 1️⃣ While pressing the arms away from the body creates a longer lever which is what challenges the core to prevent rotation, bringing the handle up to the forehead and down to the belt line increases the lever length from your center of gravity, therefore making it more difficult. 2️⃣ The up and down motion targets the stabilizers of the shoulders to a greater degree, making it a bigger bang for your training buck. ➡️ These make for a stronger, more injury resilient core that will help decrease the chance of back pain and hip pain as well as enhance overall performance. 🎯 To properly execute the exercise make sure that the abs stay engaged by focusing on pulling your zipper up towards your rib cage to prevent extension of the lower back, especially when the hands go up. Also focus on keeping the path of the handle inline with your zipper, belly button and nose. ➡️ Go for 2-3 sets of 6-8 reps per side and make your core stronger and rock hard! #core #coretraining #corestrength #coreworkout #abs #absworkout #absofsteel #shoulders #shoulder #shoulderworkout #strength #strengthtraining #strengthandconditioning #fitness #fitnessmotivation #fitnesscoach #theathleticway #athlete #athletes

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Or you can make the lever action quick and short bursts across the body which forces you to prevent the hips and torso from rotating when there are rapid changes in external forces.

Anti-Rotation Pulse

 

4. Add External Forces 

With the side plank, adding external horizontal forces such as upper body pushing and upper body pulling creates a rotational force on the body while you are still working to prevent the hips from sagging towards the floor (anti-lateral flexion). 

Side Plank Cable Row

 

Side Plank Cable Press

 

5. Be Explosive

Simply put, the more explosive and powerful an action is, the more force there is generated over a shorter period of time. With more force over a shorter period of time, there is a much greater demand on the core to prevent the hips and spine from being bent or twisted from a solid neutral position. 

Battle Ropes

 

Dynamax Circuit

 

Sprints

 

While the title of this article is a little misleading, as there is never a “final” step in your core training, the above progressions are the more advanced progressions when it comes to training your core.

These progressions all create a greater challenge and therefore enhance the strength, stability and overall performance of the core when executed properly. They also create a 360 degree demand, therefore resulting in greater definition and aesthetic appeal. 

The principles discussed above along with the previous 2 articles will allow you to train your core for optimal results when it comes to injury prevention, performance enhancement and aesthetics.

No more are the days of blowing your spine to smithereens in the hunt for a higher performing and better looking midsection! 

If you want even more in depth information and to go through some exercises in person check out the info below for the upcoming REAL Core Training Seminar…only a few days away!