core training starting to noticeably pay off

[casualbb]

Well I finally noticed the effects of this copious amount of core work that Core Performance has me do.

In martial arts we were doing pushups (as a breathing exercise instead of a muscular one)

I realized something... that half of the challenge when you're doing pushups isn't so much that your chest gets tired, it's that your core isn't strong enough to maintain your body in a rigid state for so many reps. The butt will start to droop, and you'll start to get tired all over. I just took this for granted, that "this was how you got tired doing pushups" and still thought my chest was pooped.

Well a decent bit of the core work I do is pillar bridging -- basically maintaining your body completely rigid for some number of seconds. I've also advanced to where I can extend one arm and the opposite leg while staying rigid and balancing on the other limbs, quite challenging.

ANyway, back to the pushups... so I noticed that for the first time, my chest was truly getting tired BY ITSELF. My core was keeping it real. I also noticed that I was the last to tire out of everyone in the room, and also panted far less afterwards.

core work? I'm a believer.

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

I' m not big into all the core hoopla going on, but I'm glad you are noticing positive results from this.

For me, heavy squats, deadlift, rows and military press keep my core strong. Throw some leg raises and weighted cable crunches in every now and then and I'm good to go.

That plank position you're talkign about is definitely hard. Try doing a one-arm pushup like that when you get really advanced.

 

[Pastor of Muppets]

How does being able to do pushups help you in fighting?

A piece of 2 by 4 and a bad attitude heeds more results imo

 

[KillahBee]

good stuff bro. I actually ordered the book this weekend and can't wait to give it a good read.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

a strong core is verey important in all 3 lifts as well as in sports etc..

it is exrtremely difficultto lower a heavy weight under control while benching/squatting without having a strong core..
i train my core heavy at least 2 time per week

 

[d3track]

best core work for me was during track
i still use as much of that as i can
it helped my dead and squat, which helped muscle growth for everything

plus, as a thrower in track n field, if your core failed, you failed

 

[super_rice]

isometric (i believe it is?) work like bridges/planks works wonders. i do them face down, and on the sides twice a week now for 30sec-1min holds. it's improved my stability during heavy squats, deads, and benches

however, i think there will be a time (that is fast approaching) where this exercise will loose its effectiveness unless you increase weight. maybe have someone put a plate on the oppposite side of your body.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

isometric (i believe it is?) work like bridges/planks works wonders. i do them face down, and on the sides twice a week now for 30sec-1min holds. it's improved my stability during heavy squats, deads, and benches

however, i think there will be a time (that is fast approaching) where this exercise will loose its effectiveness unless you increase weight. maybe have someone put a plate on the oppposite side of your body.

eventually yes you will need to hit your core with heavy weights, low reps

 

[USMC fighter]

How does being able to do pushups help you in fighting?

A piece of 2 by 4 and a bad attitude heeds more results imo

Most of youre hooked punches are partially powered ,especially upon impact, by your pecs and delt/pec tie ins

 

[Debaser]

I' m not big into all the core hoopla going on, but I'm glad you are noticing positive results from this.

For me, heavy squats, deadlift, rows and military press keep my core strong. Throw some leg raises and weighted cable crunches in every now and then and I'm good to go.

That plank position you're talkign about is definitely hard. Try doing a one-arm pushup like that when you get really advanced.

Squats, deadlifts, rows etc. keep *part* of your core strong.

Spinal rotation is extremely important, though.

So is lateral stability. So unless you're also doing one-legged squats, deadlifts, or rows, you're neglecting that as well.

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

Russian twists or full contact twists and dumbell sidebends would take care both of those things.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

Squats, deadlifts, rows etc. keep *part* of your core strong.

Spinal rotation is extremely important, though.

So is lateral stability. So unless you're also doing one-legged squats, deadlifts, or rows, you're neglecting that as well.

and there will come a point when you get to a certain weight in a squat or dead that you will realize you have a weak core..

if your core is a stregnth fine keep it that way and dont let it turn into a weakness

 

[jnevin]

My ex left her bosu when she moved out, and that thing is pretty cool. I kind of feel like a tool using it, but my balance and strength have inceased. For those that don't know, a bosu is like an exercise ball cut in half with a platform. It's good for one legged squats, one legged presses, curls, etc. I've noticed a marked increase in quite a few exercises.

 

[Debaser]

Russian twists or full contact twists and dumbell sidebends would take care both of those things.

Those help but when I say lateral stabilization, I'm talking about mostly the hips.

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

So what do you recommend for lateral stability?

 

[blut wump]

good stuff bro. I actually ordered the book this weekend and can't wait to give it a good read.

That's a good enough recommendation for me.

Amazon uk have a double on at the moment with "Functional Training for Sports: Superior Conditioning for Today's Athlete" so I ordered the pair.

I've suffered for around three years with a lower back problem which no amount of chiropractery and Swiss ball gubbins would sort out. The past eight months with progressively re-introducing squats and seated rows and, more recently, barbell rows and deadlifts have done wonders; probably for my posterior chain.

I do that plank/bridge hold for front and sides rotating front/left/front/right/front with one minute holds once or twice a week. Sometimes I'll do the cycle multiple times with 15 or 30s holds before resting. Beyond a certain point it's all about willpower.