CrossFit Boston

"The Core" has become a catch phrase for strengthening and conditioning in the most recent decade.  I am amused by some "experts" that first highlight the importance of core strength, and then try to isolate and strengthen "the core" with abdominal crunches.

This is an improvement of sorts.  In the 90's people would ask me what they could do to make their arms look bigger.  My answer was never what the person asking me wanted to hear: "You should do more squats."  On a good day I would have the time and patience to elaborate:  "It looks like your arms are big enough in relation to the rest of your body.  You should do more squats.  Not only will it help grow your lower body, it will help to grow your entire body.  That way as your arms grow, it is in proportion to the rest of your body."

More recently people hear the buzzwords of "core strength" and aren't quite sure how to go about attaining it.  Some friends, aquaintences, co-workers, and patients know that I do Crossfit and ask "What can I do for my core?"  My answer is never what the person asking me wants to hear.  Many are looking for a better abdominal crunch, the same way that many body builders are looking for a better bicep curl.  "You should do more squats."  On a good day I would have the time and patience to elaborate:  "You should do squats... sometimes overhead, and deadlifts, and olympic lifts, and presses, and run, and row, and do pullups, and pushups, and wallball shots, and kettlebell swings, and box jumps, and L-sits, and handstands."  I avoid mentioning situps on purpose, but yes, situps are good too.

If the person is receptive and I have the time, I try to teach them a proper air-squat... and then show them how this transfers to everything good in life.  (I am forever grateful to the coaches at Crossfit Boston who corrected my squat and got me off of the Smith machine, something I never thought was possible.)