Core strength is important: we use it when we carry a bag of groceries, get up from the floor, push open a door and so like. But too often, we think of “core” training as something done specifically with sit-ups or planks(平板支撑).   【小题1】 It is because our cores do so much more.

If you do nothing but sit-ups, you’re being just as short—sighted as somebody who never does any core work because it’s boring or they “forget”. 【小题2】

Treat your core like any other muscle. When we train our arms, we get stronger and progress to heavier dumbbells. When we train our legs, we end up squatting (蹲) with more weight over time. 【小题3】 You wouldn’t do 100 curls with a 5-pound weight when the 25-pounder is right there. Find a more challenging exercise. You may have many more options.

Another thing we can learn from other types of strength training is that your core work doesn’t have to be an everyday thing. If you try a more challenging core move and find yourself ache afterward, you may be thinking “How can I do this every day? It’s too hard.” 【小题4】 It’s okay to do devoted core work two or three times a week, resting in between.

【小题5】 Sit-ups work the muscles at the front of our body. But our core includes a lot more than that. To hit all of these muscles, we’ll need to do different movements. It’s true that planks work pretty much everything in the body, so that’s a good place to start, but there are so many more options—not to mention that variety helps not just to relieve boredom, but also gives each muscle a chance to work hard without being limited by the strength of its neighbors.