Core Strength TrainingCore strength training is part of any well rounded fitness program. You might be asking what is core strength exactly? According to the Collins English Dictionary, core strength is the strength of underlying muscles of the torso, which help determine posture. Working these muscles goes a long way to improving your balance and stability. The good news about core strength training is it does not require any specialized equipment or a gym membership! If you are looking for a place to get started working on your core, the library has you covered. Here are a few recommendations:

I recently picked up Core Strength Training by Dorling Kindersley. If you are just starting out or a fitness expert, this step by step guide has it all. What I love about this book is each exercise has a clear diagram, shows what muscles you are/should be working, gives variations on the exercise, and rates each item on a difficulty scale. Also, there are tips on technique to ensure you are doing the exercises correctly and safely. At the back of the book, Kindersley puts together exercise routines - there is even a section that covers pregnancy. Look for it at your local branch.

A few others to check out: Core Strength for Dummies by LaReine Chabut and Delavier's Core Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier. How do you work YOUR core?