In fitness communities it is quite easy to get lost in the latest gimmicks and fads. When looking for the best core exercise you might find it impossible to see around suspension trainers, kettlebells and body weight moves which most gym users find too difficult to do.
That's right, despite the fact that most trainers will have you performing wacky exercises such as balancing on one leg while holding a tree branch and meditating, developing a stronger core has nothing to do with working out in a park.
However, the king of core exercises was recently discovered to be front squats performed with a loaded barbell.
While the squat is undoubtedly one of the biggest exercises in the gym, not very many people are aware of it's cousin - the front squat. This is a move adopted by most bodybuilders as it places much more emphasis on the front deltoids and quadriceps than it's bigger, heavier counterpart. The strange stress placed on keeping the body in an upright position while holding the bar in front of the shoulders and neck requires an awful lot of strength.
A recent study in the UK, which was then published by the Journal Of Strength & Conditioning Research in 2011, directly compared barbell front squats to the superman exercise to see which returned the greatest strength improvements. The superman is among the elite core strength moves prescribed by most personal trainers and fitness instructors, so was a great fit for this particular case study.
In a shocking twist of events, front squats were found to yield a 5% increase in core strength over the superman.
Despite the fact that they had already shown a 5% strength increase, it was also noted that front squats in the study were actually performed using no weights at all. Just an empty barbell was used. By adding further resistance you would engage the erector spinae even further, making them far more effective than the superman overall.
By hitting the erector spinae muscles very hard, you will build a very strong and tight midsection without needing to do countless crunches.
Some of the fads which come and go in the fitness world cause confusion. There is a very common misconception that building core stability simply involves hitting your abs on an exercise ball instead of doing crunches on the floor. This is not the case. Ignoring these foolish trends and taking proven principles from old school methods like bodybuilding, explosive strength training and HIIT is the optimal way to build a well-rounded physique.
What is the best core exercise overall? The latest research points you beyond the yoga mat and, instead, in the direction of that loaded barbell in the corner of your gym where front squats await you on your next leg day.
That's right, despite the fact that most trainers will have you performing wacky exercises such as balancing on one leg while holding a tree branch and meditating, developing a stronger core has nothing to do with working out in a park.
However, the king of core exercises was recently discovered to be front squats performed with a loaded barbell.
While the squat is undoubtedly one of the biggest exercises in the gym, not very many people are aware of it's cousin - the front squat. This is a move adopted by most bodybuilders as it places much more emphasis on the front deltoids and quadriceps than it's bigger, heavier counterpart. The strange stress placed on keeping the body in an upright position while holding the bar in front of the shoulders and neck requires an awful lot of strength.
A recent study in the UK, which was then published by the Journal Of Strength & Conditioning Research in 2011, directly compared barbell front squats to the superman exercise to see which returned the greatest strength improvements. The superman is among the elite core strength moves prescribed by most personal trainers and fitness instructors, so was a great fit for this particular case study.
In a shocking twist of events, front squats were found to yield a 5% increase in core strength over the superman.
Despite the fact that they had already shown a 5% strength increase, it was also noted that front squats in the study were actually performed using no weights at all. Just an empty barbell was used. By adding further resistance you would engage the erector spinae even further, making them far more effective than the superman overall.
By hitting the erector spinae muscles very hard, you will build a very strong and tight midsection without needing to do countless crunches.
Some of the fads which come and go in the fitness world cause confusion. There is a very common misconception that building core stability simply involves hitting your abs on an exercise ball instead of doing crunches on the floor. This is not the case. Ignoring these foolish trends and taking proven principles from old school methods like bodybuilding, explosive strength training and HIIT is the optimal way to build a well-rounded physique.
What is the best core exercise overall? The latest research points you beyond the yoga mat and, instead, in the direction of that loaded barbell in the corner of your gym where front squats await you on your next leg day.
About the Author:
Bio: Expert south shields personal trainer Russ Howe PTI wrote our article. Learn his best core exercise for strength and many weight loss tips via his fitness and muscle building blog today.
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