Trunk exercises are exercises that are targeted to strengthen the muscles that support the spine and the shoulders. The trunk muscles include the abdominals, lower back, and gluteal muscles.

These muscles play an essential role in stabilizing the body during movements and maintaining good posture.

As you progress with your workouts, it’s important to incorporate advanced trunk exercises to your routine. Advanced trunk exercises are exercises that go beyond the basics and challenge the muscles in new ways.

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of advanced trunk exercises.

1. Improved Core Strength

Advanced trunk exercises can help to improve core strength. Core strength refers to the ability of the muscles in our trunk to work together to stabilize and support the spine and pelvis.

Without proper core strength, we are more likely to experience back pain and injuries during our daily activities.

Advanced trunk exercises challenge the core muscles in new ways, which helps to make them stronger.

For example, exercises like the plank or side plank variations, require a lot of stability in the torso and hips, which can help to improve core strength dramatically.

2. Improved Posture

Advanced trunk exercises also help to improve posture. As mentioned above, the muscles in our trunk play an essential role in maintaining good posture.

When these muscles are weak or imbalanced, it can lead to postural issues, such as a protruding belly or slouching shoulders.

Advanced trunk exercises can address these issues by strengthening the muscles that are responsible for maintaining good posture.

For example, exercises like the bird dog, which involves extending one leg and the opposite arm while keeping the trunk stable, can help to strengthen the lower back and other postural muscles, leading to better posture over time.

3. Decreased Risk of Injury

Advanced trunk exercises can also help to decrease the risk of injury. As we mentioned, the muscles in our trunk play an essential role in stabilizing the body during movements.

When these muscles are weak or imbalanced, it can lead to increased stress and strain on the joints and other tissues in the body, which can lead to injury over time.

Advanced trunk exercises can help to address these issues by strengthening the muscles that support the spine and other joints in the body.

This can lead to better movement patterns and decreased stress on the joints, leading to a decreased risk of injury.

4. Improved Athletic Performance

Advanced trunk exercises can also help to improve athletic performance. Many sports require a lot of trunk stability and strength, so having strong trunk muscles can help to improve performance in these sports.

Advanced trunk exercises can help to address weak spots in the trunk muscles, leading to better overall strength and stability. This can lead to improved performance in sports that require a lot of core strength and stability.

5. Improved Balance and Coordination

Advanced trunk exercises can also help to improve balance and coordination. As we mentioned, the muscles in our trunk play an essential role in stabilizing the body during movements.

When these muscles are weak or imbalanced, it can lead to decreased balance and coordination, making it harder to perform daily activities or sports.

Advanced trunk exercises can help to address these issues by challenging the muscles in new ways, leading to better overall balance and coordination.

For example, exercises like the stability ball push-up or the single-leg Romanian deadlift can help to improve balance and stability in the trunk and hips.

6. Increased Difficulty and Challenge

Finally, advanced trunk exercises can provide a new level of difficulty and challenge to your workout routine.

As you progress with your workouts, it’s important to continue to challenge your muscles in new ways to avoid plateauing or getting bored with your routine.

Advanced trunk exercises can provide this challenge by requiring greater strength, coordination, balance, and stability. This can lead to a fun and challenging workout routine that keeps you motivated and engaged over time.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the advantages of advanced trunk exercises are numerous.

Improving core strength, posture, decreasing risk of injury, improving athletic performance, improving balance and coordination, and providing a new level of difficulty and challenge are all reasons to incorporate advanced trunk exercises into your workout routine. Speak to a qualified fitness professional before starting a new exercise routine.