why strengthen your core muscles?
Strengthening your core is important because it acts as the central link between your upper and lower body, helping transfer force smoothly during everyday movements, work, sports, and more. A weak or imbalanced core can lead to poor posture, back pain, injuries, and reduced strength or balance. Whether you're lifting a package, sitting at a desk, playing sports, or doing chores, your core is always involved. A strong, flexible core improves balance, stability, posture, and even helps prevent falls and back issues. While toned abs are nice, it's important to train the whole core—front, back, and hips—for full-body strength and function.
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When we talk about strengthening the core, most people immediately think of the “six-pack” abs. But the core is far more than that—it’s a powerful network of muscles that spans from your shoulders down to your hips. These muscles don’t just help you look fit; they play a critical role in stability, posture, and everyday movement.
Your core is roughly bounded by the rib cage and hips, and it includes muscles in the abdomen, back, sides, pelvis, buttocks, and hips. Even some upper back muscles, like the trapezius and latissimus dorsi, contribute to core stability, though they often get overlooked.
Let’s break down the major players in your core and their functions:
🧠 Abdominal Muscles: The “Abs” We All Know
Rectus Abdominis – These are the classic “six-pack” muscles. They run vertically down the front of your abdomen, from the ribs to the pubic bone. Their job? Helping you flex your trunk—like when doing a crunch or sitting up.
External Obliques – Located on either side of your abdomen, these flat muscles help you rotate your torso and bend sideways.
Internal Obliques – Sitting just under the external obliques, they also assist in twisting movements and add stability to your core.
Transversus Abdominis – This is the deepest layer of abdominal muscle. Think of it as a natural weight belt—it wraps around your torso, providing essential support and stabilization.
Often, all four of these are lumped together and referred to as “the abs,” but each plays a unique role in your core strength.
Erector Spinae – This group of muscles runs vertically along your spine. It helps you stand tall, maintain good posture, and extend your back. Whether you’re picking something off the ground or simply standing upright, these muscles are constantly at work.
Gluteus Maximus – These are the large muscles that form your buttocks. They’re key for powerful movements like hip extension and thigh rotation.
Gluteus Medius & Minimus – These muscles sit under the gluteus maximus and help rotate your hips, move your leg sideways, and stabilize your pelvis when you’re on one leg.
Iliopsoas – A deep muscle group made up of the iliacus and psoas. They connect your spine to your femur and play a major role in hip flexion and posture control.
Quadratus Lumborum – Running along the lower back on each side, these muscles allow you to bend sideways, extend slightly backward, and even help lift one hip at a time.
Together, these muscles form a powerhouse that supports your spine, stabilizes your movements, and helps you function effectively—from walking and bending to lifting and twisting.
Next time you engage in core exercises, remember it’s not just about crunches or sit-ups. You’re working an entire team of muscles—your abs, back, hips, and glutes—that collectively keep you strong, balanced, and injury-free.
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Don’t Ignore Your Pelvic Floor: Essential Exercises for Preventing or Managing Stress Incontinence
Many people—even those who exercise regularly—tend to overlook one crucial group of core muscles: the pelvic floor. This network of muscles and ligaments stretches from the pubic bone to the tailbone and plays a vital role in supporting the bladder and other pelvic organs.
When you urinate, your pelvic floor muscles and sphincters relax. However, factors like pregnancy, childbirth, aging, or being overweight can weaken these muscles. This increases the risk of stress incontinence—urine leaks triggered by coughing, laughing, sneezing, jumping, or lifting heavy objects. In such cases, the bladder may even shift downward due to lack of support.
Strengthening the pelvic floor can help control or eliminate leaks. Studies show that pelvic exercises can improve stress incontinence, reduce symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse in women, and decrease urine leakage in men, especially after prostate surgery. Good posture also plays a role, as slouching can add pressure to the pelvic region.
Before starting, empty your bladder. To find the right muscles:
Imagine you're stopping yourself from passing gas—this tightening is your pelvic floor at work.
For women, think about tightening your vagina around a tampon.
Avoid squeezing your abdominal or leg muscles. Placing your hand on your belly can help you check.
If you're unsure whether you're doing it right, consult your doctor for biofeedback guidance.
Tighten your pelvic floor muscles.
Hold for three seconds, then relax for three seconds.
Repeat 10 to 15 times in each session.
Do this three times a day: lying down, sitting, and standing.
You may notice improvement within a few weeks, although it typically takes 3 to 6 weeks for full results.
If you're not seeing enough improvement, talk to your doctor. Urinary incontinence can have multiple causes, and personalized treatment—such as behavioral changes, medications, or surgical options—may be necessary.
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Ankle pain can affect your ability to walk, stand, or enjoy your daily routine. Whether it’s due to a recent injury or a long-term issue, ignoring ankle pain can lead to chronic problems and reduced mobility.
At Homephysio, we specialize in treating ankle pain through evidence-based physiotherapy – delivered right to your home for maximum comfort and convenience.
📞 Book your appointment today and take the first step toward pain-free, confident movement.
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Standing core Exercise
Side leg lift
Repetitions: 10 per leg
Sets: 1–3
Intensity: Light to moderate
Tempo: 2–2 (2 seconds up, 2 seconds down)
Rest: 30–90 seconds between sets
Starting Position:
Stand upright with your feet together and your hands resting on your hips.
Movement:
Exhale as you lift your left leg straight out to the side until your foot is approximately six inches off the floor. Slowly return to the starting position. Maintain level hips throughout the movement. Complete all repetitions on one side, then switch to the right leg.
Tips & Techniques:
Maintain a neutral spine and keep your shoulders relaxed, down, and back.
Engage the buttock (glute) muscles of your standing leg to ensure stability and control.
Avoid leaning to the side or twisting your trunk during the lift.
This exercise is excellent for improving hip strength, balance, and stability—especially beneficial in rehabilitation for lower limb or nerve-related conditions.
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When it comes to improving lower body strength, balance, and core stability, the knee lift exercise is an excellent choice. It’s simple, effective, and can be performed anywhere without any equipment.
Starting Position:
Stand tall with your feet together.
Extend your arms slightly out to the sides with elbows bent.
Keep your chest lifted and shoulders relaxed.
Movement:
Slowly lift your right knee toward the ceiling as high as comfortable.
Lower your foot back to the floor with control.
Complete all repetitions on one side, then switch to the other leg.
Reps: 10 per leg
Sets: 1–3
Intensity: Light to moderate
Tempo: 2 seconds up – 2 seconds down
Rest: 30–90 seconds between sets
Engage your abdominal muscles throughout the movement.
Keep your chest lifted and shoulders back.
Squeeze the glute of your standing leg for stability.
Too difficult? Hold onto a sturdy chair or wall for support.
Too easy? Perform the lift without letting your foot touch the ground between reps.
💡 Why include Knee Lifts?
Knee lifts not only improve leg strength and hip mobility but also challenge your core balance and coordination. This makes it a great addition to rehabilitation programs, home workouts, and physiotherapy routines.
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Looking for an easy and effective exercise to strengthen your legs and improve balance at home? The Side Squat with Knee Lift is a simple move recommended by physiotherapists that targets your thighs, glutes, and core – perfect for building strength without any equipment.
At Homephysio – the best physiotherapist in Aurangabad, we always suggest simple yet powerful exercises for people who want to stay active at home or during a physiotherapy home visit in Aurangabad.
Start position: Stand tall with your feet together and arms by your sides.
Step & squat: Take a step to the right, push your hips back, and bend your knees into a squat, keeping your hands in front of your chest.
Lift: As you stand back up, exhale and lift your right knee toward your chest while lowering your arms to your sides.
Repeat: Do 10 reps on each leg for 1–3 sets. Then switch sides.
Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Don’t let your knees go beyond your toes.
Breathe steadily—inhale on the way down, exhale as you lift.
Too hard? Skip the knee lift and just do the squat.
Too easy? Hold the squat for 4 counts before lifting your knee.
This exercise is perfect for people who prefer online physiotherapy consultation in Aurangabad or those who need guided support from a physiotherapist in Chh Sambhajinagar. Regular practice helps improve strength, mobility, and stability—making daily movements easier and pain-free.
👉 At Homephysio, we guide you with personalized exercises during home physiotherapy visits in Aurangabad so you can recover faster and stay active
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