Why strengthening your core leaves you with more than just a beach bod

Published on 26th September, 2023 at 10:50 am

While core exercises can get you closer to the toned body you’ve always dreamed of, it turns out that these exercises have some surprising benefits. With focused exercises just a few times a week, you can unlock so much more than just a beach bod. We asked Ceri Hannan, fitness expert and head of product at Planet Fitness, to help demystify core exercises.

Reading time: 2 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• The surprising benefits of a strong core.
• How you can save up to 80% on gym memberships.
• An easy core-strengthening exercise you can do at home.

The benefits of a strong core

“Exercising your core goes way beyond a toned tummy or a six-pack,” says Hannan. “Milliseconds before any of your upper or lower body limbs move, your body’s ‘inner unit’ muscles – your pelvic floor, diaphragm, multifidus, and transverse abdominis – need to fire up to stabilise your spine.”

Hannan says a strong core can help with:

• Improving your stability and balance, which are both important in preventing injuries and falls.
• Reducing your risk of lower back pain through poor posture.
• Enhancing your performance – a strong core improves the efficiency of actions like running, jumping, pushing or pulling.
• Your overall fitness and wellbeing, which in turn leads to a boost in confidence.

Don’t forget, as a Sanlam Reality member you can get up to 80% off monthly gym fees at Planet Fitness and JustGym! Click here to find out more.

A core exercise you can try today

“Ideally, you want to try and do some form of exercise to strengthen your core at least two to three times per week,” says Hannan. For a great core exercise that anyone can do at home, he says try this:

• Get into a prone position on your hands and knees.
• Breathe in through your nose as your ‘belly’ drops towards the floor.
• Exhale through pursed lips as you draw your navel towards your spine.
• That’s one rep.

Aim to do 10 reps for 10 seconds of deep diaphragmatic breathing.

With up to 20% off RSAWEB fibre to your home every month, you can browse (and book) several gym classes designed and run by professionals to help strengthen your core at Planet Fitness.

Want to take your core exercises to another level?

Hannan’s top tip is to always be aware of your posture in daily activities. “Avoid forward-head posture by sitting with ‘ear over shoulder, over hip’. You can also try sitting on a stability ball.”

Level up your fitness game today! As a Sanlam Reality member, you can save up to 80% on your monthly gym fee at Planet Fitness and Planet Fitness JustGym.