Where is it?
The ‘core’ consists of the abdomen, hips and lower back muscles.

What does it do?
• Gives your body a solid foundation, a base of support. These muscles work together to anchor your spine, extending up to the shoulders and elbows; and down to the knees and ankles. Everything in your body is connected and directly relates to your ‘core’.
• Creates a stable foundation for the muscles that attach to it. It’s this stability that
creates better body control and balance, which in turn generates more power for the core and the muscles attached to it.
• Optimizes energy transfer from the abdomen, hips and lower back muscles to your arm and leg muscles. This energy transfer is an athlete's key ingredient for running faster, jumping higher or throwing further. If the arms and legs don't have a stable base of support then you lack the crucial anchoring system to generate the desired force.

Why is it important?
As an athlete and trainer I understand that Core Strength is the solid foundation needed to succeed not only in athletic endeavours but in simple everyday movement as well.
You can build a pretty house but without a solid foundation it’s worthless. It’s not only about the aesthetic appeal of a “ripped” mid-section, but also the functional necessity of a “strong” core.

The TVA
The transverse abdominis muscle or TVA is the deepest layer of abdominal muscle. It’s important to know that all of the body’s movements begin from the TVA.

The TVA originates at the lower spine and wraps transversely (horizontally) attaching to the ribs, abdominals and pelvis. These transverse fibres act as stabilizers for the spine and trunk by providing belt-like opposition to intra-abdominal pressure. It’s like tightening a belt around your back and abdomen creating a column of support for your spine.