33 / 66
The Benefits of Core Workouts
31
other hand, might make you feel more confident and alert. It also helps
you breathe better and get more oxygen to your body. That makes ex-
ercising even easier and more beneficial.
GET BETTER AT SPORTS
Most sports involve some sort of core movement. Gymnastics definitely
does! So do tennis, biking, swimming, volleyball, golfing, and more.
Pretty much every sport involves using the core to some degree. Even
sports that mostly rely on arm or leg strength, like running, are affected
by core strength too.
After you try some core workouts a few times, you may notice right
away that playing sports is easier. All the benefits of core workouts
can make you better at your chosen sport or sports. Exercise in general
helps you breathe better and makes your heart stronger, which is al-
ways great for sports performance. Core workouts also strengthen mus-
cles that are necessary for any movements in your torso. And because
the core muscles connect to other muscles, your arm and leg movements
may feel stronger too.
STAY INJURY-FREE AND PAIN-FREE
Injuries happen while playing sports, while doing chores at home, or
even just while walking around. Core exercises won’t prevent you from
ever getting injured, but they will protect you from some of the more
common kinds of pain and injuries.
A strong core means more balance and stability for your body over-
all, as well as more flexibility. Injuries, especially those involving falls,
are often caused by a bad sense of balance or a lack of flexibility. By
getting better at those things through core exercises, you’re improving
your body’s ability to stay strong overall.
Some people’s jobs involve a lot of core strength. If you have to
bend, twist, or stand all day at your job, you’re using your core muscles.
Someone who works during the summer as a camp counselor is prob-
ably going to be running around a lot after campers. After weeks of