Core strength is crucial, and it goes beyond having great abs. The first step to developing a strong, athletic core is to address and eliminate energy leaks.
Here's an example: If your back rounds in the squat and deadlift, that's an energy leak. And because you didn't stabilize the trunk sufficiently, your power will fail to transfer from the ground to the bar. The consequence of this is injury, or a failed and ugly lift. So you need to find core exercises to address this. The first step? Learn to build tension.
Isometric contractions are an effective way to learn this skill. You're familiar with planks, but moving resistance over short distances with control is better. Try these exercises.
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