Do you hate doing abdominal crunches as much as I do? No worries! Im here to tell you that crunches are pretty much useless for building core strength and that doing too many may cause more harm than good.

You are welcome. You can send me gifts and jewelry for that one.

So how do we build core strength? It is explained below. But if you want to learn more visit The Posture Project: Build a Better Back. Life the Life You Want.

Lets look at the difference between having a ripped rectus abdominus area (the six-pack muscles) versus having functional core strength.

Functional core strength means we are able to do what we need and want to do in our lives while feeling good and minimizing damage and pain. Its not about building a six-pack; the six-pack is about aesthetics, and doesnt have anything to do with strength.

So if you want to be a fitness model, let the six-pack be your goal. If you want to feel strong and be pain-free, work your entire core in multiple directions in ways that mimic daily activities. The six-pack look comes from doing lots of crunches and working the rectus abdominus (also from being genetically inclined to look that way). Good old rectus is a surface muscle. While it does serve a function, it doesnt contribute much to overall core strength.

Working from the outside in is a mistake; it ignores the internal muscles that are essential to core stability and back health.

We do not build functional strength by isolating specific muscles. We must perform compound exercises which are activities that work multiple muscle groups at once. Our body parts work in concert to get us through our day. Realistic movement cannot depend on one muscle doing all the work.

There are multiple layers of core muscles, criss-crossing in different directions. It is this complexity that allows us to move freely in all directions.

Our bodies are built for complex multi-dimensional movement. If we only exercise limited muscles in limited ways, our freedom of movement will also be limited. Therefore, we must exercise in multi-dimensional ways that work all the layers of muscle.

The Woodchopper Exercise is an example of a multi-muscle activity that builds functional core strength. Try it here: https://youtu.be/MB7brzFnC-k

Want to learn more about how to build functional core strength and reduce back pain? Check out The Posture Project: Build a Better Back. Live the Life You Want.

The Posture Project is an easy-to-follow program that you can do at home, on your own time. It includes stretching and exercises that I use successfully in live classes to help people get stronger and reduce pain. Its for average people most of the folks who attend my classes range in age from 40-70 and have no special fitness or yoga ability.

Questions? Feel free to email me.