CORE
STRENGTH
What IS your core?
Your core isn’t just one muscle – it’s a whole group of muscles that move in
all directions and are used all the time. Everything you do uses your core, as
it is made up of a huge number of muscles within the trunk of your body that
stabilise the spine, from the outer muscles you can see like your abdominals
and lats, to the deeper muscles such as the pelvic floor, the multifidus, and
the diaphragm.
Why is it important in obstacle course racing?
Everything you do in obstacle racing requires a strong core. When you’re
walking across a beam or balancing on anything, your core should be
engaged and needs to be strong to keep you from falling. If you are carrying
a heavy atlas stone, sandbag, or jerry can, you need a strong core to keep
you from damaging your back. When you are running into gladiators/football
players at the end of a race, a weak core won’t help you withstand those
blows! Save your knees by bear crawling properly, tensing your core, and
moving quickly under barbed wire. Even something as simple as running
requires a strong core to ensure you have good posture.
Photo credits: Spartan Race/ Judgement Day/ Rock Solid