Why Your Core Is More Than Just Abs (And How to Actually Strengthen It)

When most women think about training their core, they think about abs. Crunches. Planks. Maybe chasing visible definition.

But your core is so much more than what you see in the mirror — and if you’re only training the surface muscles, you’re missing the foundation that makes everything else work better.

Your Core Is a System — Not Just a Muscle

Your core includes:

• Transverse abdominis (your deepest stabilizing muscle)

• Obliques

• Rectus abdominis

• Lower back muscles

• Pelvic floor

• Diaphragm

It’s a full pressure-and-stability system.

Your core helps you:

• Stabilize your spine

• Protect your lower back

• Improve posture

• Lift heavier safely

• Move with more control

• Support your pelvic floor

If you’ve ever felt:

• Lower back tightness

• Disconnected from your abs during workouts

• Core weakness after pregnancy

• “Mom pooch” that won’t respond to crunches

• Leaking when you jump or sneeze

That’s not a sign you need more reps. It’s a sign you need deeper connection.

Why Most Ab Workouts Don’t Fix the Problem

Many traditional ab workouts:

❌ Over-recruit hip flexors
❌ Rush through reps
❌ Focus on speed over control
❌ Skip breath coordination
❌ Ignore the deep stabilizers

You might feel sore. You might sweat. But you’re not actually building the internal strength that supports your body long-term.

Deep core training requires:

• Slower tempo

• Breath awareness

• Intentional bracing

• Stability before movement

• Control over momentum

It may look simple — but it’s powerful.

Why Deep Core Strength Matters (Especially for Women)

As women, our bodies experience hormonal shifts, stress fluctuations, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and life phases that all impact core function. Training your deep core properly helps:

✨ Reduce back pain
✨ Improve posture
✨ Support pelvic floor health
✨ Increase balance and coordination
✨ Improve performance in strength training
✨ Create a stronger, flatter midsection over time

This isn’t about aesthetics. This is about function, longevity, and confidence in how your body moves.

How to Start Improving Your Core Connection

Before adding more intensity, you have to build awareness. Inside my Hoodfit App, I have a quick 5-minute video called “Improve Your Core Connection” that walks you through:

• How to properly engage your deep core

• Breath + brace technique

• Foundational exercises to practice

• How to apply these principles to your workouts

It’s short, clear, and gives you the exact movements to begin strengthening the right way. You can access it with a free trial inside the Hoodfit App, so you can try it, practice it, and feel the difference in your body immediately.

👉 Watch “Improve Your Core Connection” here.

Start there. Practice it consistently. Then layer intensity on top.

The goal is to build a core that supports you — whether you’re lifting weights, carrying kids, dancing, working long hours, or simply standing taller. If you’re ready to feel stronger from the inside out, start with the connection.

Your core is more than abs.
It’s your foundation.

And strong foundations change everything.