Monday, December 14, 2015

Try These Two Exercises to Strengthen Your Core and Prevent Lower Back Pain

Strengthening the muscles of your core (lower back and abdominal) is an excellent way to proactively decrease the probability of developing lower back pain.  Below are two of my favorite exercises for improving my core strength.



Rollups



Rollups shape and develop the back of your legs and calves, and is also very good for improving core strength.  Lay flat on your back, extend your legs and place a therapeutic ball under your heels.  This is your starting position.  Lift your hips off the floor, and pull the ball toward your butt.  Now, press through you heels and lift your hips as far as possible.  Then, slowly return to the starting position.  Breathing pattern for this exercise is to exhale while rolling the ball towards you and to inhale while returning to the starting position.  I recommend starting with 2 sets of 10 repetitions


Seated Ball Twist
  
 
The seated ball twist is a very good exercise for abdominal development and strength.  Sit on the floor with a slight bend in your legs.  Hold a therapeutic ball with your arms fully extended in front of you.  Lean back slightly, pick your chest up high and pull in your naval.  Now, turn your shoulders to one side, and touch the ball to the floor.  Then turn to the other side, and do the same.  A complete revolution counts as one repetition.  Be sure you arms stay extended throughout this exercise.  Breathing pattern is to exhale as you touch the ball to the floor and inhale as you bring the ball across your body.  I recommend starting with 2 sets of 10 repetitions each way.

You can see my complete line of downloadable strength training programs from beginners to advance by clicking on this link: Forever Fit and Firm

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