The word “core” is thrown around in various ways in the fitness world. Some think the core is a sleek six pack, when in fact the abdominals are only a fraction of your core muscles. While core work does help produce toned abdominal muscles, core exercises include a lot more than just crunches.

Functional core training is about power, strength and stabilization. Core muscles create a solid base for your body, allowing you to stay upright and stand strong on your two feet.

Core work allows you to stabilize your spine, which improves and controls your posture. Functional core training allows you to practice movement that provides optimal motion for daily tasks. Challenging your core not only improves balance and functional movement, but it creates that toned look that so many people crave.

Taking it further, if you have increased core strength it will improve every aspect of any sport that you are involved in. It will make you stronger, faster, fitter and more able to compete.

‘I see guys in the gym every day, trying to lift big but ignoring their core. If they concentrated as much effort into becoming strong around the middle as they do curling dumbbells, their weights and therefore their size would go through the roof.’