Prince DeesePrince Deese, an All American Wrestler, a Hall of Fame Football Player, and a State Champion Body Builder, is a certified personal trainer and strength conditioning specialist. Prince Deese and Gina Deese own A.C.T. by Deese, a Fitness & Training Center in Greensboro, NC.
By definition, the word “core” means the central part, the heart, the essence, or the most important part of something. With respect to the body, “core” refers to the mid-section and all the muscles in the front, back, and sides, from the torso to the hips.
The core muscles stabilize the spine, help maintain good posture, prevent injury, and determine the body’s capacity to perform the bending, reaching, and twisting actions that are required for simple everyday tasks. Weak core muscles may result in back pain, poor posture, lack of adequate balance and even lead to unnecessary injuries.
It does not matter that we know the names of the different muscles that comprise our core such as obliques and erector spinae. What matters is that we have the proper exercise to strengthen the area and keep our core muscles able to perform required daily tasks.
Core training is important to everyday life and provides multiple benefits such as increased strength,therefore decreasing the risk of injury; increased coordination, allowing for movement with ease, fluidity, and more efficiency; increased stability providing greater control of position; decreased chance of injury from extreme activity and improved balance to prevent falls and accidents.
Core training is not only for professional athletes and sports participants but for all who recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy, productive lifestyle, especially when daily work involves long periods of desk work or sitting.
As an information technology manager retired from NC A&T State University, Lonnie Cathey, age 67, has found the importance of core training. Lonnie’s exercise conditioning allows him to enjoy activities with his wife and grandchildren as well as the ability to perform on stage in Fred Astaire ballroom dance showcases at the Carolina theatre.
Because of Lonnie’s good health and fitness regimen, Lonnie lost 25 pounds, participated in several marathons, and achieved his first degree black belt in martial arts. As an active member of Persimmon Grove AME church, he currently continues to strengthen his core at the A.C.T. studio working three days per week with UNCG kinesiology senior student intern, Garrett Smith, in strengthening the muscles that provide support for the spine and maintain stability for the entire body.
If you have questions regarding appropriate activities that will meet your personal exercise needs, information is available with a free consultation by calling A.C.T. Fitness Studio in Greensboro (336-617-5304).