Fitness fads may come and go, but there's one thing that's always in style: a strong core. Whether you're a Hyrox addict, a Pilates princess or a running regular, maintaining a stable, functional core is key to perfecting performance. And even if your idea of a workout is wandering to your local bookstore to add to your to-be-read pile (and, to be quite honest, we're on board), you don't want to overlook the functional benefits of a decent set of abs and obliques.
In case you missed it, the pros of a solid core workout are myriad. From improving posture and reducing lower back pain to better balance, stability and ease of movement, not forgetting enhanced athletic performance (yes, really), it's little surprise that we're all a bit obsessed with our abs. But make no mistake: we're not talking merely about aesthetics, here. Sure, some visible muscles might be a nice side-effect of honing a strong core (if you happen to have a great lifestyle and the genetic lottery in the bag, too - without which, your purusit of visible abs will likely prove fruitless) but we're far more into the functional fitness gains you'll notice.
