CORE ISSUES (core strength doesn't = crunches...kinda)

"Core strength" is something of a buzz word. We talk about the core and strengthening it though fru fru exercises but what does it really mean? Why is it so important; is it important?  Hell yeah! There’s way more to core training than getting a flat tummy.  Heck, that's not even the core.  That's only a small part of the core.

Essentially, you're core is everything but your legs and arms. Think about it.  That's a whole lot of the body that a crunch aint gonna work.  Be not afraid, there are a loads of options - planks, v-sits, russian twists, deadlifts - whaa? Yup, squats - huh? Yup! Seriously, try lifting something heavy up from the confines of gravity without curving that spine of yours. You're pretty much holding a plank and using your glutes which are, by the way, part of your core.  You're glutes have one purpose: "maintaining the trunk in the erect posture".  Strengthening your core which is everything except the appendages, will have you seeing improvements in so many areas of your fitness. That is, of course, if your goals are to get stronger and prevent injury. Refer back to my post about Upper Cross Syndrome.

Long story short. The difference between core and abdominal training is that you’re not just targeting the front side of the body. The core muscles allow proper posture; maintaining balance and stability, absorbing impact and transmitting forces throughout the body. You get that? Transmitting forces throughout the body. A concept I learned in CrossFit (Core to extremity).  Without going into too much detail, we want our biggest muscles to initiate the movement and do most of the work, with the smaller muscles to finish the job. The core is where the body’s center of gravity lies and where all movement originates. Your core tends to fire before any movement begins. When the core is strong the frame of the body is supported and the neck and shoulders can relax and the limbs can move freely. 

I know you all must be wondering if crunches are useless because I went off on them earlier but...*sigh*
No exercises are "bad".  Exercise is medicine and you have to prescribe what's right for the individual. Personally, I think crunches are boring and most people hate them anyhow.  But to answer the question... No, because before you can engage your deeper core, you need some strength in your abdominal muscles to start and crunches are good way to ease in.  Though I could think of a myriad of different exercises that involve nothing more than body-weight which would get better results but you all don't have me at your side training you.  A strong core provides athletes with added range of motion and stability. Movement patterns become stronger and more efficient and working out in general will become easier. To be able to WOD faster and more efficiently? Sign me up! 

Work on that posture and reap the benefits of better movement.  Crossfit and it's coaches *wink* *wink* (me) have lots of ideas for working your core and I promise you, you won't get bored. Feel the burn. 

Strength Camp's Elliott speaks about why posture is more important than strength...eventually.

Elliott gets all deep about the core pretty interesting view