Core conditioning exercise advice

The principles of core conditioning have evolved out of the teaching of Joseph Pilates and today there are many hybrid variations of the core conditioning teachings. Broadly speaking, core conditioning refers to a group of muscles around the middle of your body: abdominal, trunk as well as those around your lower back, pelvis and hips.

Core conditioning exercises are designed to tighten and strengthen the central muscles, which result in a flat tummy, as well as developing strength, stamina and improved posture. To perform well in sport, you need to have a strong centre, which is where this mode of exercise comes in. The centre creates powerful movements for the entire body with a significantly reduced risk of injury.

There are a wide range of exercises to develop these central muscles, some of which use specific equipment such as balls, and other machinery. The result is the same. These exercises will develop stronger tendons, ligaments, muscle fibres and bones as well as stabilise the joints and muscles to create better balance from inside.

Most fitness routines nowadays will include central muscle strengthening components as it is an essential part of training to create an overall sense of well-being. As with all modern types of fitness classes, there are many different approaches so it's worth checking your local gyms and finding out what they have to offer for the beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioner.