For optimizing triathlon training only, is there any benefit from doing core strength exercises other than just S,B,R.
Things from sit-ups to pilates or yoga?
core
core core core
core
core
core core
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I must be missing something
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I must be missing something
I think the current decade’s emphasis on core is ridiculous
but then I am a slow age grouper with no training or education in physiology. feel free to ignore me.
core core core
compression!
core
either your core gets tired and sore when you SBR or it doesn’t and if it doesn’t why would you spend time working it specifically? I do not know.
and God forbid you work your core out with weights, that’ll kill ya
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. . . why would you spend time working it specifically? I do not know.
Impress the womens.
Whatsa “core”?
It’s kinda like brushing your teeth. It’s not going to make you faster but it’s probably good for your overall health.
-A.Coggan
I eat the cores of apples. Does that count?
As a couple have said, emphasis on “core” or other specific parts of one’s body seems to be more marketing than anything else. Exercises that specifically strengthen the core–which can be defined as anything from just abs to all back muscles and beyond, in essence most of the muscles between the shoulders and knees—are not bad, so long as you’re not sacrificing SBR time in the process. If your goal is to be a triathlete, train like one. If weaknesses within those ‘core’ areas surface, work on them and call it your “core workout” to satisfy your non tri friends.
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/SM/00071.html
…which is not a bad definition of what the “core” is and why it might be important.
As always, YMMV.
No.
If core helped so much, gymnasts or bodybuilders would have a big advantage. Clearly, that’s not the case.
Everyone always brings up the ‘but it’s different if you’ve got a WEAK core’ and I totally don’t buy this pile of garbage reasoning as well. I got news for you - if you’ve got such a weak core that you think it’s limiting your speed on the s/b/r, I’ll guarantee 100% that the relative weakness of your sport-specific muscles (core or noncore) are the real culprit.
I’m not blowing off core training as generally useless - it’s actually good for general health and other sports it can be extremely helpful if not the crucial factor. Just happens that triathlon isn’t one of them. I still train my core as often as possible (usually ends up being 1x/wk) but I’m under no illusions that it’s helping my s/b/r. Having been pretty strong in core as a serious weightlifter in the past, I also know this from firsthand experience that all those powerful abs and back muscles don’t do anything for endurance racing.
I think strength training and core work are personal. Some believe in it, and others don’t. There’s an age old battle on here about whether you should or shouldn’t participate. Try it out and see what/if it works for you. From personal experience… I see benefits from functional strength work. But that’s just me.
me thinks you misinterpreted the quote…that or you are replying to the wrong post
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I have some imbalances due to medical issues years ago…was constantly injured. I have been working on some core work form the book called “Foundation”. They have a good website with some videos…www.foundationtraining.com…again its not about making me faster, its about helping me stay healthy so I can S/B/R harder, longer.
From N=1
I’ve found that having a weaker core from not swimming as much has slowed me down in the pool as my body position fails before my propulsion fails. I also had my lower back go out on me in a bike race this summer, legs were fine. My personal opinion is that a weak core can slow you down, but once you get to a point where your core is no longer the first point of failure, it’s not going to hold you back and additional core strength is not optimal.
I’m one of the “weak core” dudes, as I have been dealing with back problems ever since I herniated my L5-S1 back in 1996. My problem is I constantly do things that tweak my back (not necessarily S/B/R training, but stupid things like sleeping wrong), which then causes me to skip swimming, biking, and running sessions, thus hurting my performance. I have to do maintenance core strengthening at a minimum every day. So, in a roundabout way, core weakness is limiting my speed in S/B/R because I can’t achieve the training volume I need to be fast!
But, I do understand what you mean, as I can feel it on my relatively crappy run - my sport specific muscles that I engage when running (and happen to be in my core) are relatively weak. The constant injure/rehab/injure cycle I seem to be in has made it very tough for me to make speed gains on the run. I can handle volume a lot better than maximum exertion, if that makes any sense.
I’m not sure how it would optimize training. If your core prevents you from effective training then work on it. If it doesn’t, spend the time swimming, biking or running.
I was having hip and “core” problems last year (lower abdominal strain, especially when fatigued) and spent 2 months (Nov. and Dec.) working on it. My subsequent triathlon training was improved becasue I had no discomfort. I don’t really know if it was the specific “core” work I did or the rest from S, B, R.
Another thing I see commonly - people complaining about their ‘weak core’ because they have various aches and pains, be it back pain, ab pain, stomach pain, etc.
These are usually not because of some core muscle imbalance. A lot of them, especially the back pain issue, is simply not known why the pain occurs. For sure though, just doing core muscle exercises isn’t the magic cure in most situations.
A lot of folks also get the placebo effect - they had some back pain when they used to do long bike rides, so they now do some deadlifts, etc., but continue to bike. All of a sudden they can ride without back pain - must be the deadlifts! In reality, it’s because they’ve continued to train on the bike, and have simply acclimated. Ask most coaches and cyclists if doing back exercises like weights will help you avoid that initial back pain on the first long rides of the season - unlikely they’ll say it will compared to just getting on the dang bike and getting use to it.
I noticed that after turning about 30, a huge proportion of my friends started having back issues, some serious (like me, herniating L4/L5). Every physical therapist that I’ve talked to says that lower back injuries are among the most common that they treat. Why? Because most of us sit on our arses for 8-10 hours a day in an office (or on internet forums ;), and people aren’t designed to do that.
So, I have no idea if a stronger core will make you a faster triathlete, but I’m a big proponant that it will keep your back healthier.
So, if you care about that…I would focus on your transverse abs. Google it. Youtube it. They’re not the ones that give you the six pack, but they stabalize your spine. You can do a couple of exercises that take maybe 10 minutes a day.
Or maybe you are one of the lucky few that never develops back issues…
“The body is one piece. There is no ‘core’.”
I’ve also found that adding in some core work has improved my stroke. In my mind, it helps me initiate my roll from the hips.