Most Personal Trainers Are Doing Core Training Wrong | This Approach Solves The Issue

You can download our workout chart for free here: https://www.sortahealthytrainered.com/personaltrainingforms What's up guys! Jeff from Sorta Healthy here! Today I’ll be breaking down my approach to core training. I think it’s fair to say that core training is misunderstood by most. I seem to get more core questions than ever lately with the rise of Pilates. What is your core training philosophy? Is it the same as any other region of the body or is it different? Let me know in the comments. Anyways, many of your clients will assume that how much “burn” they feel when doing something equates to how effective it is. While this isn’t entirely false, the “burn” isn’t the only thing we should be looking for. Here are 5 things that I think sum up my core training philosophy well. 1. Everything is a core exercise if you’re doing it right. Squats, deadlifts, rows, and basically all other compound exercises require your client to keep a tight core to maintain proper form. Even single joint exercises such as curls, leg extensions, etc. have some core demand. So, most of your core work should probably just come from having proper form while doing other movements throughout the session. 2. You want some core exercises that can be easily progressed over time. You should have some exercises in your clients routine that directly target the core. At least some of those exercises should be moves that are easily progressed over time. I’m not talking about just adding more time to a bicycle crunch. I'm talking about exercises that you can add more weight to gradually. We can’t forget about progressive overload when it comes to core movements. 3. Isometrics can be useful to have in the mix. I use more core isometrics with newer clients or clients who have orthopedic issues. The risk of injury is usually a little lower, and I’ve found that isometrics can help to restore some mind muscle connection in sedentary folks. These isometrics likely aren’t as effective for muscle building, but they’ll have their place in many clients' routines. 4. Make sure to hit the different muscles and layers of the core weekly, or at least bi-weekly. The rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, obliques, and spinal extensors should all be targeted directly. Like we said before, these muscles are all getting used as our clients are going through the regular exercises, so we probably don’t need to isolate them too much. One or two exercises for each of the above regions of the core is probably enough. 5. We have to make sure our clients are getting what they want and need. Are they actually achieving what they set out to do? Unfortunately, abs are made in the kitchen, so no amount of core work, no matter how good it is, will offset a poor diet. This is something that you’ll probably have to bring up pretty often. You probably should include some “feel the burn” core exercises in there for most clients, especially those who are core focused. These types of moves (the timed bodyweight ones) just shouldn’t be the only thing in your core mix. A somewhat unrelated question here too: Is Pilates the current fitness fad or is it here to stay? Obviously, it’s been around for a long time but it’s exploded in popularity over the last year or two due to some TikTok action. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! You can download the forms we use in our personal training business by going to this link: https://www.sortahealthytrainered.com/freepersonaltrainingforms ---- Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/17X4Pb7gYJ5LLTiQwuAkhQ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sortahealthyjeff Our in-person business: https://www.commencefitness.com