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Core conditioning: It's not just about abs.

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Core conditioning: It's not just about abs

Lots of women would like to firm up their tummies. Working on core muscles can help with that * and much more.

Many of us have wished for flatter stomachs, a goal that seems more frustrating and elusive the older we get. You might have been tempted by infomercials for exercise devices or breathless magazine articles promising "flat abs" and tighter tummies "in just days." Despite the hype, spot exercising abdominal muscles won't get rid of fat. The only way to do that is to expend more calories than you take in. Working these muscles has its place, but the smart money these days is on strengthening a variety of trunk muscles, collectively known as "the core."

Core conditioning improves posture, which contributes to a trimmer appearance (poor posture can give even a woman with well-toned abs a little "pot"). Moreover, developing core muscle strength can boost the effectiveness of workouts and reduce the risk of injuries that sideline our efforts to stay in shape.

Getting at the core

If you've ever had physical therapy to treat low back pain, you're probably familiar with the concept of strengthening the core * the muscles in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis that lie roughly between the rib cage and the hips. The strength and coordination of these muscles is important not only for sports and...

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