Cutting to the core: looking good isn't the only reason to pursue a powerful midsection

Muscle & Fitness, July, 2006 by Joe Weider

A WELL-DEFINED and lean midsection is the goal that keeps most people toiling away in the gym. It's the reason for performing an extra set or spending 10 more minutes on the exercise bike. It's the prize at the bottom of the tuna can and your reward for eating all those chicken breasts. For many, that carved-out six-pack is their most coveted fitness goal.

Why do people torture themselves to this end? More often than not, it's for one reason: vanity. But that desire to look good can end up paying big dividends.

Bodybuilders and other elite athletes know that training abs isn't just about seeing a great physique in the mirror. Your abs--composed of several layers and sections of muscle, not just the superficial ones many people covet--represent the nucleus of your body's power production.

In the gym, having powerful abs helps you stabilize your spine and generate more power on lifts. Neglect your ab training and your next squat day could turn into a back-mangling disaster. That's because a strong midsection helps maintain your spinal posture and alignment, keeping that loaded barbell from turning you into a human accordion.

* Baseball players, golfers and martial artists all conjure up their force from one spot: their core. The swinging motion of baseball players and golfers requires strength throughout the entire midsection, not only to hit the long ball but also to avoid injuries from the violent acceleration and deceleration of the torso during a swing. Martial artists--some of the most athletic people on the planet--make it their business to forcefully exhale and tense their abs when punching, kicking and absorbing blows. They may be a little louder and more animated while doing it, but rest assured that daily ab training is key to their success.

* Regular abdominal work also helps prevent countless health problems before they start, particularly where the low back is concerned. Developing ab strength can help avoid or alleviate posture deviations and low-back pain. Sitting all day takes a toll on the spine, and without a strong core, the spine will begin to wear--discs can become overly compressed, resulting in persistent low-back pain.

Your abs are also at risk if you undertrain them because they're needed for nearly every routine movement in your daily life. Looking over your shoulder, rolling out of bed, sitting up, taking milk out of the refrigerator, picking up your children--all of these tasks demand a great deal from your abdominal muscles. As with most injuries, you might never know how important your abs are until you hurt them.

* Another benefit of maintaining a strong, shredded midsection: The nutritional requirements of having a well-defined waistline also promote lower levels of bodyfat, which helps keep your heart in good shape.

Strong abs protect your spine, provide a healthier environment for your organs and keep you out of the doctor's office. So keep crunching away, but know that a defined set of abs isn't just helpful for appearances--it could be the healthiest part of your fitness routine.

Live to the fullest,

FROM JOE WEIDER THE MASTER BLASTER