Does it matter if I skip core?
IrRevd
Posts: 38 Member
Been using gym for cardio for the past six weeks with reasonable results.
Finally got round to induction and whilst I am confident on the machines, I struggle with the core stuff. My only aim is to lose weight and CICO seems to be working so I'm wondering if core is essential to my workout or not?
Finally got round to induction and whilst I am confident on the machines, I struggle with the core stuff. My only aim is to lose weight and CICO seems to be working so I'm wondering if core is essential to my workout or not?
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Replies
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depends0
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What "core stuff" are you currently doing? Or are you not doing any? Good move to start using weight machines, but free weights are great to use, also. In order to have proper form a strong core is important but I personally just do variations of planks almost daily. That seems to be good enough for me, but it does depend on your overall goals.1
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Oof. This is hard to answer.
I admit to being very lax about core training. I go through periods when I regularly do core work (ab roller) and then I start to hit the point where I leave it off due to time constraints and eventually it falls off my radar. I feel like it is something I should do regularly but I don't. At the same time, I feel like I get a fairly good workout for my core doing regular lifting and having visible abs is not at all a goal of mine so I kind of feel like eh, whatever.
If it is not your goal, I would say consider working toward using free weights instead of machines, as I believe they will involve your core more than will many machine exercises.2 -
Oof. This is hard to answer.
I admit to being very lax about core training. I go through periods when I regularly do core work (ab roller) and then I start to hit the point where I leave it off due to time constraints and eventually it falls off my radar. I feel like it is something I should do regularly but I don't. At the same time, I feel like I get a fairly good workout for my core doing regular lifting and having visible abs is not at all a goal of mine so I kind of feel like eh, whatever.
If it is not your goal, I would say consider working toward using free weights instead of machines, as I believe they will involve your core more than will many machine exercises.
This is totally me. Oddly though, when this picture was taken
<<--- I had just finished a 12 week competition prep, with almost ZERO isolated core or ab work. I got all the core strength training I needed from deadlifts, squats and back hyper extensions, and diet took care of the aesthetics. Go figure.1 -
A weak core can lead to back pain, poor posture, hip pain, and bad balance to name just a few issues. But you don't necessarily have to do direct core exercises to strengthen your core. You can work your core indirectly with weight lifting (not machines), for example. Many asymmetrical exercise will work your core.3
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What "core stuff" are you currently doing? Or are you not doing any? Good move to start using weight machines, but free weights are great to use, also. In order to have proper form a strong core is important but I personally just do variations of planks almost daily. That seems to be good enough for me, but it does depend on your overall goals.
I don't do any core at all. Don't like it (well actually I hate it). My current workouts consist of 4 x 30-45 cardio sessions a week (or until I've burnt 300 kcal)
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What "core stuff" are you currently doing? Or are you not doing any? Good move to start using weight machines, but free weights are great to use, also. In order to have proper form a strong core is important but I personally just do variations of planks almost daily. That seems to be good enough for me, but it does depend on your overall goals.
I don't do any core at all. Don't like it (well actually I hate it). My current workouts consist of 4 x 30-45 cardio sessions a week (or until I've burnt 300 kcal)
Can't say core work is my favorite, either, but no matter how often and how many variations of planks I do they still get my heart rate up and I feel it the next day so sometimes I start my workout with planks as a warm up and then do a couple more while stretching. Just a few make a difference.0 -
My core gets worked out plenty through my choice of exercise.. I admit not really into saving time or a day for core work. I will say that I did specially add core work as a newbie.0
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core work is like flossing. i know i 'should' do it 100%, aka every day. i probably do do it around 60-70% of the time.
then something happens to make me feel punished for my sloppiness, and i scuttle straight back to the good girl's 100% until i feel as if i'm off the hook.1 -
There are plenty of ways to do core work without knowing it. Make part of your cardio sessions asymmetrically loaded carries. Add some strength training using varied holding positions, that will require you to engage your core to perform them. I get it that not everyone loves direct core work like I do. But there are so many ways to still get some work.0
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Depends on the rest of your routine, your needs and your goals but....
If you are struggling with core work then my gut feeling (no pun intended!) is that you have a weak core and should work it.
It's tempting to gravitate towards what you are good at and neglect what you are weak at, that's a bad idea generally.
I do quite a bit of core work because I have a damaged back so a strong core compensates for that and it helps my main exercise which is cycling. So my routine fits my needs and goals.2 -
It really depends. I don't enjoy it much either, but if I don't do it I risk being bed bound with back pain more often, so it's a necessary evil for me. It really helps my running reducing the risk of taking a "wrong" step and throwing my back. In general, core work is really good for performance and injury prevention in several sports and workout choices, as well as real life applications aiding posture, balance...etc. If you don't care about any of that, not doing core work will not affect your weight loss in any meaningful way.0
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on re-reading the op, i'm curious about what 'induction' is.
question may be ot, so disregard if you feel an explanation would derail things.0 -
Been using gym for cardio for the past six weeks with reasonable results.
Finally got round to induction and whilst I am confident on the machines, I struggle with the core stuff. My only aim is to lose weight and CICO seems to be working so I'm wondering if core is essential to my workout or not?
If this is your only goal, no you do not have to do any core work.
To lose weight, you simply have to eat in a deficit. Exercises by themselves have no bearing on weight loss.
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Why would you want to skip out core workouts?! After all it's the most important part of your body to keep strong.
Coming from a place where my core was so weak I could not bend over without helping myself back up. I feel keeping a strong core very important, it supports your spine and in turn the rest of your body. You don't realise what an important part it plays until you lose it!2 -
Maintain a reasonable body weight and strengthen your core to reduce the probability of back problems.
Back problems suck.1 -
To have an overall bada$$ body. Training your core is imperative. Hence the word "core". That's just how I see it. Of course you don't have to have a solid core to look good in clothes.0
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Wow, I love core work. I have to have a very strong core to be able to do pole fitness. I love the hanging leg raises and usually I do pull ups, then raise my legs when I've pulled myself up so I'm doing both.. Maybe you can mix core into your normal workouts?
Strong core and a strong back will only be good for you. It definitely helps if you have a bad posture and a bad back.3 -
Wow, I love core work. I have to have a very strong core to be able to do pole fitness. I love the hanging leg raises and usually I do pull ups, then raise my legs when I've pulled myself up so I'm doing both.. Maybe you can mix core into your normal workouts?
Strong core and a strong back will only be good for you. It definitely helps if you have a bad posture and a bad back.
Yep. Definitely helps with posture. Which in turn helps your form on all your other lifts.0 -
You probably hate it because you have a weak core. I was the same way but it's become a major focus of mine lately because I realized it was a weakness. It has helped posture, back pain, how I look in that area, my sex life, my yoga life, balance, and so much more. Once you get started training in the core, you'll see. Totally worth it!2
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If all you want to do is lose weight, then no, you can skip it. I don't recommend it, but that's the answer.
If you ever plan to do strength training or do much of anything physical, you probably won't want to. From a health standpoint, if there is only time to work one area, the core would be a fairly excellent choice given the amount of injuries that those areas get as we age. Additionally, if you plan to do strength training, you will probably find that your core is what is holding you back from progress - you might even hurt yourself because of its weakness.
There are a TON of exercises for the core. As has been stated, some are not even "core" exercises, but get the job done. Find something you like and at least try to throw it into the mix once a week or so.0 -
Since most of us sit for work (which weakens the core) working on core strength is essential to avoid back pain and being able to move well now and long into old age.
This is a neat video from Dan John on what he calls the get back up. I do this as a warm up and a few sets of ab roller exercises, plus I limit the resistance training I do sitting down or lying on a bench. Seems to work well for me in the core strength area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0_DoicHg2E 0 -
canadianlbs wrote: »on re-reading the op, i'm curious about what 'induction' is.
question may be ot, so disregard if you feel an explanation would derail things.
Induction is when you are new to the gym, show you how to use the cardii machines, weight machines etc. It's just an introduction to the gym really.0 -
I have to go back and revise my comments above a bit. I guess I do work core regularly--I do farmer's carries, waiter's walks, and goblet walks. They aren't what I tend to think of when I think of core work but they do work core and I do one or the other at the end of most strength workouts.0
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GuitarJerry wrote: »My core gets worked automatically. So, I don't worry about it. But, if it's something you want to do, then do it. If not, then don't do it. It's not necessary. Nothing is necessary, just eating, breathing, and paying taxes is all that is required. Other than that, pretty much everything in life is optional. Choose wisely.
not if your donald trump.
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If you're just trying lose weight, then you don't NEED to exercise at all. But at the same time don't expect to be physically fit to do other things that do involve a strong/decent core.
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canadianlbs wrote: »core work is like flossing. i know i 'should' do it 100%, aka every day.
I like than analogy.
Think of a strong core as the foundation for almost all other activities and, unless you're determined to have six pack abs, doesn't take a great of time (eg runnersworld.com/workouts/lolo-jones-core-workout 3 x 15 min weekly)0 -
Why would you want your body to not have a strong foundation (core?). All cardio and no strength training is not smart programming IMHO.0
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canadianlbs wrote: »on re-reading the op, i'm curious about what 'induction' is.
question may be ot, so disregard if you feel an explanation would derail things.
Induction is when you are new to the gym, show you how to use the cardii machines, weight machines etc. It's just an introduction to the gym really.
ahhhh. i just thought it was some other programme. like wendler, phul, etc.
that or you'd joined the marines. but i couldn't see you asking if you could skip core in the marines. from what i hear that isn't even a question with them. i'm not sure they have questions, now that i think about it.
carry on then.
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