Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by Ellen Christian
By finding the best core training exercises, my aim is to improve my balance and stability. Your core muscles are those in the center of your body excluding your arms and legs. They are involved in almost every movement of your body including balance, a healthy back, and good posture. Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Figure 8 Fitness. I have been compensated through the SheSavvy Influence Network. All opinions remain my own.
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I do a lot of sitting at my computer for my job as you can imagine. This doesn’t make for a healthy core so it’s something I have been trying to work on more often. As a woman over 40 (and 50!) with several children, flat abs are something that has escaped me for many years. I definitely have more belly fat than I want to at this stage and that’s not good for a healthy core.
Traditionally, it’s been thought that the best core training exercises were things like crunches and situps. However, these exercises can cause more harm than good. Since you do these exercises laying flat on your back, they can cause excessive strain on the part of your low back that has the most nerves and is most prone to wear and tear giving you disc bulge and disc herniation.
Also, when you lift your chest in a crunch, your shoulders round forward and create bad unhealthy posture. Plus, sit-ups and crunches move only in one plane (flexing the spine up and down) and are not complete core exercises, because they only target a single muscle group.
I’ve been following the Figure 8 CORE Training program that provides core training through dance. Whether you’re a beginner or already familiar with dance moves, you’ll get an intense abdominal workout using the simple Figure 8 method of CORE training.
When I first saw the word “dance” in this program, I almost gave up before I started. I am NOT a dancer, and I don’t consider myself to be an overly graceful person. I have no idea how to do any dance moves, and I was convinced I couldn’t do it before I tried.
After just a few days, I’m happy to share that the videos are easy to follow along with even if you have no idea how to dance and have two left feet. You exercise each day following the videos in a special member area. You stick with the moves that you can do and progress as you feel confident.
It’s not a race, and you don’t have to keep up with anyone but yourself. Even with modifications because I have back issues, I can already feel the muscles in my core are getting a good workout. Plus, there is a private Facebook group where you can get motivation and encouragement from others in the program.
Of course, Figure 8 Fitness is more than exercise, it’s healthy eating as well. I love that the focus of this program is healthy eating and natural foods. You don’t have to buy certain meals or drinks or shakes. You can pick the recipes you want to make and they include healthy foods like lean meats and fresh vegetables. There are no diet or fake foods in this program at all. And, you are not counting calories or weighing foods. I just cannot stick to programs like that.
I’m really enjoying the Figure 8 Fitness program, and I can easily see myself sticking to it for the long haul.
Ready to get started? Visit the site for more information.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
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