In this article, you will learn about a six-week core training program that is supported by research to increase passive core stiffness. As explained by the great Stuart McGill, improving core stiffness can help with the ability to transfer force and can enhance the amount of load the spine can handle. Both of these attributes can improve an individual’s athleticism and overall performance with any task!

 

Sample Core Training Program

An article by Benjamin C. Y. Lee and Stuart M. McGill in 2015 compared a long-term dynamic (i.e., curl up) vs. isometric (i.e., plank) core training program. A six-week core training program consisting of isometric exercises was superior to dynamic core exercises in enhancing core stiffness. Below you will find videos of the exercises in the core training program broken down into 3 phases.

 

Six Week Core Training Program Phase One

The video demonstrates week 1️⃣ & 2️⃣ exercises from the program.

  1. Plank ‼️Transition Not Included In Article But Worth The Challenge‼️
  2. Front Hold
  3. Modified Torsional Buttress
  4. Modified Side Plank
  5. Bird Dog

 

Gain Access To Our Full-Length Core [P]Rehab Program!

core performance program the prehab guys
If you are looking to protect your back, optimize your pelvic tilt, improve your movement efficiency, and reach new levels of athletic potential then this is the resource for you! With extensive programming, you will learn everything you need to know to build a rock-solid core. Click HERE to learn more!

 

Six Week Core Training Program Phase Two

The video demonstrates weeks 3️⃣ & 4️⃣ of the program.

  • Anterior Pallof Press

 

  • Posterior Pallof Press

 

  • Anti-rotation Pallof Press

 

  • Suitcase hold

 

Want More Core Work? Try These Exercises!

 

Six Week Core Training Program Phase Three

The video demonstrates week 5️⃣ & 6️⃣ exercises from the program.

  • Kettlebell Unilateral Rack Walk

 

  • Swiss Ball Stir The Pot

 

  • TRX Inverted Row

 

  • Half-kneeling Wood Chops

 

Prehab Membership The Prehab Guys

The Prehab membership is the anti-barrier solution to keeping your body healthy. Access state-of-the-art physical therapy, fitness programs, and workouts online in the comforts of your own home or gym! Taking control of your health with exercise & education from the palm of your hand has never been easier. Get access to 50+ programs, 100+ unique workouts, and 3000+ exercises to build your own workout routines. Trial it for free, and learn how to get out of pain, avoid injury, and optimize your health with [P]rehab!

 

Why Does Core Stiffness Matter?

Here is an excerpt from the article that greatly summarizes why core stiffness matters.

“In essence, when sufficient core stiffness is lacking, athlete movement becomes inefficient and manifested by performance decrements and can increase injury risk. Many athletic tasks involve stability in the frontal and transverse planes; consider a football player who sprints 5 yards forward and powerfully cuts left. If lateral core stiffness is insufficient, energy leaks causing buckling at the torso compromise speed and increase known injury mechanisms of spine bending under load (28) and knee valgus buckling (20).”

READ: BUILDING YOUR CORE STRENGTH

 

But Why Isometric Exercises For Core Strength?

You could argue weight lifting exercises activate the core. However, traditional barbell exercises such as the squat and deadlift are sagittal plane dominant exercises. The authors of this article support the notion that this core training program is better at creating 3-dimensional spinal stability. Also, due to the fact this core training program is mostly body-weight exercises, the amount of external load volume on the body is minimal compared to traditional weight lifting. The authors suggest this core training program is an excellent mid-season option for athletes to perform on training days and during their pregame warm-ups in an effort to reduce the risk of injuries!

LISTEN: HOW TO REACH OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE WITH DR. TIM GABBETT

optimal performance core strength the prehab guys

 

Closing Thoughts

We hope that you have taken away some great principles you can integrate into your core training to maximize your performance. If you are looking for something more comprehensive, be sure to check out of Core Performance Program below!

 

Take Your Core Performance To The Next Level

core performance program the prehab guys
The outcome of a great core program is NOT a 6-pack but it if does happen we are sure you wouldn’t be upset! The core should be thought of as both a dynamic suitcase and an energy transfer center. The goal is to build a rock-solid suitcase for each aspect of the core and to improve its ability to transfer energy to and from the legs and arms.

 

About The Author

Craig Lindell, PT, DPT, CSCS

[P]rehab Co-Founder & Chief Content Officer

craig lindell the prehab guysCraig is a South Jersey native & Penn State Kinesiology Alumni. When the opportunity came, Craig packed his bags and drove to California to pursue his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. With [P]rehab, Craig oversees all digital content creation and multi-channel publication that reaches millions of people on a weekly basis. As a PT, Craig has a wide array of experience from working with various neurological conditions to working with collegiate & professional athletes across the Big Five in North American sports. Experiencing physical therapy first-hand as a soccer player in high school, Craig has a passion & special interest in adolescent athletic development working with young athletes to overcome injuries. In his spare time, Craig enjoys exercising, playing golfing, hiking, traveling, watching Philly sports, and spending quality time with his family.

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer – The content here is designed for information & education purposes only and is not intended for medical advice.

About the author : Arash Maghsoodi PT, DPT, CSCS

8 Comments

  1. Rehab December 16, 2018 at 12:37 pm

    This was a excellent informative post you have shared on this page about the six week of core training program by performance decrements and can increase injury risk. Many athletic tasks involve stability about the frontal and transverse planes; consider a football player who sprints 5 yards forward and powerfully cuts left. If lateral core stiffness is insufficient, energy leaks causing buckling at the torso compromises speed and increases known injury mechanisms of spine bending under load (28) and knee valgus buckling (20).”
    Thanks.

  2. Rehab December 16, 2018 at 12:41 pm

    This was a excellent informative post you have shared on this page about the six week of core training program by performance decrements and can increase injury risk. Many athletic tasks involve stability about the frontal and transverse planes; consider a football player who sprints 5 yards forward and powerfully cuts left. If lateral core stiffness is insufficient, energy leaks causing buckling at the torso compromises speed and increases known injury mechanisms of spine bending under load (28) and knee valgus buckling (20).”
    Thanks.

  3. eye mask February 7, 2019 at 5:26 am

    In this article you will learn a six week core training program that is supported by research to increase passive core stiffness. As explained by the great Stuart McGill, improving core stiffness can help with the ability to transfer force and can enhance the amount of load the spine can handle. Both of these attributes can improve an individual’s athleticism and overall performance with any task.
    Thanks.

  4. Rachel MacNeill March 4, 2019 at 11:33 am

    I wish y’all could create playlists based on this that we could easily share w/ pts as an HEP. I can’t get the playlist feature to work for me at all, and the search bar on the exercise page seems to be busted, too! Thanks.

    • Michael Lau March 11, 2019 at 2:06 pm

      Hi Rachel!! Are you a prehabX member? What exactly isn’t working for you? Please send us a direct email at info@theprehabguys.com so we can help you troubleshoot and create playlists to share as an HEP, as a PrehabX member this is the backbone of the membership!

  5. Gabriella Reiner September 28, 2019 at 7:54 am

    Hello!

    In the firar phase the set up is 5*5,4,3,2,1 where 1 rep is 10 seconds. Can you explain in moore detail How that set up is performed? Dont understand How it is suppose to be done

  6. Erin Willett July 2, 2020 at 11:29 am

    As with Gabriella, I’m a little confused on the exercise parameters. At 10 seconds per rep, 15 reps per set (as I’m currently reading the 5,4,3,2,1 pattern), 5 sets per exercise, and 4-5 exercises, that appears to be an hour of core 4 times per week? Or am I misreading that?

  7. Craig Lindell September 21, 2020 at 3:11 pm

    To help clear up the parameters, it is sort of a drop set. So at first you begin with 5 sets of 5 reps, then the next set is only 4 reps, then 3 reps, then 2 reps, then 1 rep. Still a lot of volume, but technically 75 reps total If I did my math correctly!

Leave A Comment

Related posts

Categories

Select a Child Category
category
6602d0ff4346d
0
0
Loading....

Latest Blogs