Core Performance Women

How To

5 Moves to Work Your Core

We all know that the elbow plank is a great core exercise.

We all know that the elbow plank is a great core exercise. But this move, like any other, can get a bit stale. And if you're bored with an exercise, chances are high your body has become accustomed to the move and you're no longer benefiting from it.

If you're ready to add variation to your core routine, here are five moves to strengthen your mid-section courtesy of Core Performance Women. These exercises target the back, glutes, abs, and inner thighs. Add two to three of these exercises to your strength training sessions and you will notice a more toned middle and stronger core in all your activities.

Photos courtesy of Core Performance Women (Penguin)

Fitness

Book Review: Core Performance Women

After dealing with a back injury, I was drawn to Pilates — it was the only thing that lessened the pain.

After dealing with a back injury, I was drawn to Pilates — it was the only thing that lessened the pain. Why? Because it was all about creating core strength. So of course the title Core Performance Women ($32.50) piqued my curiosity. Written by trainer Mark Verstegen and journalist Pete Williams, the book is much more than a fitness regimen. A little over a third of the book is dedicated to diet and nutrition. Verstegen, who has trained the likes of soccer star Mia Hamm and NFL quarterback Brett Favre, states early in the book, "The nutrients you decide to eat and the delivery form that you choose to eat them in will directly affect the way you think, feel, and act." Food fuels your everyday life, not just your workout. The Core Performance eating philosophy is a non-diet; it's not about deprivation, but "proper fuel for a hectic life." In fact, Verstegen even refers to meals as fueling times. He also offers simple-to-follow rules for eating, like focusing on lean protein and unprocessed carbs.

To hear about the fitness section of the Core Performanceread more