In this today's blog, we are going to note down the differences between the abdominals and the core. When it comes to fitness, understanding the difference between the abdominals and the core can elevate your workouts. While you might think of abs as those chiselled muscles that everyone strives for, the core is so much more than just the front of your midsection.
Abdominals: Your abdominals, often referred to as 'abs', refer specifically to the muscles in the front of your midsection primarily the rectus abdominis (six-pack muscles), obliques (sides of the torso) and transverse abdominis (deep stabilising muscles)
They play a key role in flexing your spine and stabilising your posture. But let's not forget about the core – a powerhouse of muscles that includes not just the abs, but also the obliques, transverse abdominis, and muscles in your lower back and hips.
Core: This includes the abdominals but also encompasses a larger group of muscles that stabilise the spine and pelvis. This includes the lower back (erector spinae, quadratus lumborum), glutes, hip flexors and diaphragm. The core provides overall stability, balance and power for the movement.
The core is essential for nearly every movement you make, acting like a natural stabiliser for your body. It's what helps you maintain balance, support your spine, and even improve your athletic performance. So, while those abs may be visually appealing, building a strong core is crucial for overall strength, stability, and injury prevention.
While all abdominal muscles, including the rectus abdominis and obliques, are part of the core, it also includes the lower back, hips, and pelvic floor muscles. Together, these muscle groups provide vital stability and strength for various movements in daily life and sports.
Here is our 10-minute Plank and core exercise. Give this a go and practice your abs and core!
Abdominal Exercises:
Ab crunches
Ab oblique crunches
90-degree ab crunches
Core Exercises:
Static plank
Side plank
Bear hold
We appreciate your understanding of the differences! It is important to us, and we are excited to share this journey with you.
NKH Fitness Team💙💚
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