How to Fit Core Stability Exercises into Strength and Conditioning Programs: Part 2
Written on November 23, 2011 at 5:12 pm, by Eric Cressey
In part 1 of this series, I discussed an overall approach to the categorization of core stability exercises. Here, in the second installment of this series, I'll be talking about how to incorporate various core stability exercises into your strength and conditioning programs.
To recap, the categories we'll be dealing with are anterior core, posterior core, lateral core, and rotary core. In reality, though, in my eyes, we only really need to specifically program for three of these categories. You see, the posterior core seems to take care of itself, as we are already training the ability to resist flexion with various strength exercises like deadlifts, squats, pull-throughs, kettlebell swings, and a host of other strength. Some folks may benefit from some birddogs in the warm-up period to help learn the anti-flexion patterning a bit better, but most folks are ready to rock and roll with a comprehensive strength and conditioning program that emphasizes the other three.
With that "exception" out of the way, I think it's important to appreciate three different factors when programming core stability exercises:
1. An individual's training experience - A true beginner can typically work on low-level core exercises like dead bugs and prone and side bridges on a daily basis to establish motor control. Conversely, these exercises may be too basic for a more advanced lifter, so he/she would need to focus on more advanced exercises, but do them less frequently (1-3x/week).
2. An individual's weaknesses - A young athlete with a raging anterior pelvic tilt would need to prioritize anti-extension core stability exercises over the other categories, as you want to master the sagittal plane before getting "too sexy" in other planes. Sure, you can train the other ones, but you're better off working on the most pressing issue first.
3. An individual's training frequency - Obviously, if someone is training 4-6x/week, you can do more in terms of core stability exercises with his strength and conditioning programs than you could if he was only training 2x/week. When they train less frequently, you often have to make some sacrifices in terms of core stability exercise volume in order to make sure the big-bang strength exercises (which can serve as indirect core training exercises) still get the attention they deserve.
With these three factors in mind, let's look at a few examples. Keep in mind that in each of these examples, I've removed the compound exercises, mobility drills, foam rolling, and metabolic conditioning just so that you can see how the core training exercises exist in isolation.
Example 1: 4x/week Strength and Conditioning Program
Here, you have all the flexibility in the work to prioritize the areas that are lagging the most. This example emphasized anterior core, but it could have easily been lateral or rotary core stability with some quick and easy substitutions.
Example 2: 3x/weekStrength and Conditioning Program
Day 1: Challenging Anterior Core (e.g., Rollouts), Low-Level Lateral Core (e.g., Side Bridges)
Day 2: Challenging Rotary Core (e.g., Landmines), Low-Level Anterior Core (e.g., Reverse Crunches)
Day 3: Challenging Lateral Core (e.g., 1-arm Carries), Low-Level Rotary Core (e.g., Pallof Presses)
You can still get in two versions of each of the "big three" core stability exercise categories over the course of the week - and that doesn't even include the "accidental" benefits you get from your compound strength exercises.
Example 3: 2x/week Strength and Conditioning Program
Day 1: Lateral Core (e.g., 1-arm Carries), Anterior Core from loaded push-up variation
Day 2: Rotary Core (e.g., Split-Stance Cable Lift), Anterior Core from overhead pressing.
You can see that this is far from "optimal" in terms of covering everything you want to cover in a comprehensive core stability exercise program, but when you can only get in two sessions a week (as might be the case for an in-season athlete), you make sacrifices and do what you can. This athlete might be able to complement this program with some low-level prone bridges, reverse crunches, and get-up variations on off-days.
Hopefully, this gives you a little glimpse into what a few sample weeks of core stability exercises look like in Cressey Sports Performance strength training programs. For more information and another perspective, I'd encourage you to check out our Functional Stability Training of the Core resource, which is on sale for 25% off this week (discount automatically applied at checkout). Click here to learn more.
Several of our other products are also on sale; you can learn more HERE.
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Great article, as usual. I’m adding what I could to my 3x a week program. However, my question is WHEN should these movements take place? After warmup? After the main lifts? Before conditioning? After? Thanks in advance.
As a sports physiotherapist (from the Netherlands) I use a lot of strenght training for core stability with my patients, including excercises you suggest. However, a lot of research is beïng done about the role of what some call “low thresshold” excercises. For example The Functional Movement Screening philosophy.
What’s your opinion about these philosophies and do you yourself use them in the training of your athletes?
I get better after every read . Robertson Core Guide took me to another level with my clients.I am opening a cool facility because guys like you and Robertson create DVD’s ,books and generous free content. Thank You . ps , what type of sled are you using that looks smooth when you’re pushing on rubber ?
I’m very interested in Norbert’s question. I don’t wish to name drop or diminish your ideas, but G Cook seemed to disparage the side plank in his book ‘Movement’, and that school of thought emphasises exercises like the NGU you have listed above. But then again, some ideas just make core training overcomplicated, and Stuart McGill thinks planks are a great exercise, seemingly. (namedropping over)
I do think that strenght excercises like the plank is a great core stability training. It’s just that personally I found the whole ‘low threshold’ philoshophy (I myself did the Performance Matrix course) a great new way (as in extra) of analyzing those athletes who do not have difficulties with a plank excercise, but were unable performing a stable ‘superman’, or perhaps a low thres hold excercise for Anterior core stability.
Great post….I use many of the same exercises with my athletes. I’ve been working on a golf training website and I think my visitors will find your site very informative.
Great post I find your work great and I am currently really enjoying the high performance handbook.
In relation to core exercises I was hoping that you could clear up the difference between the half kneeling cable chop and the half kneeling anti rotation chop. I know that the set up in both is different but I was wondering what each exercise specifically targeted differently if so at all… I appreciate your response
Because of the higher setting on the cable chop, you’ll get a bit more of a challenge to the anterior core, whereas the anti-rotation chop will be always exclusively rotary stability. Additionally, the forward/back legs are reversed.
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Can u put more tennis specific exercises on here?
thanks
November 24th, 2011 at 4:32 am
Great article, as usual. I’m adding what I could to my 3x a week program. However, my question is WHEN should these movements take place? After warmup? After the main lifts? Before conditioning? After? Thanks in advance.
November 24th, 2011 at 6:01 am
Excellent layout and explanation. A completely valuable post.
November 24th, 2011 at 6:31 am
Eric,
As a sports physiotherapist (from the Netherlands) I use a lot of strenght training for core stability with my patients, including excercises you suggest. However, a lot of research is beïng done about the role of what some call “low thresshold” excercises. For example The Functional Movement Screening philosophy.
What’s your opinion about these philosophies and do you yourself use them in the training of your athletes?
November 24th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Really great stuff Eric!
I’ve personally seen a huge difference in terms of both my posture and performance in a matter of weeks while following your training advice.
November 24th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
I get better after every read . Robertson Core Guide took me to another level with my clients.I am opening a cool facility because guys like you and Robertson create DVD’s ,books and generous free content. Thank You . ps , what type of sled are you using that looks smooth when you’re pushing on rubber ?
November 24th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I’m very interested in Norbert’s question. I don’t wish to name drop or diminish your ideas, but G Cook seemed to disparage the side plank in his book ‘Movement’, and that school of thought emphasises exercises like the NGU you have listed above. But then again, some ideas just make core training overcomplicated, and Stuart McGill thinks planks are a great exercise, seemingly. (namedropping over)
November 25th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I do think that strenght excercises like the plank is a great core stability training. It’s just that personally I found the whole ‘low threshold’ philoshophy (I myself did the Performance Matrix course) a great new way (as in extra) of analyzing those athletes who do not have difficulties with a plank excercise, but were unable performing a stable ‘superman’, or perhaps a low thres hold excercise for Anterior core stability.
November 28th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Great post….I use many of the same exercises with my athletes. I’ve been working on a golf training website and I think my visitors will find your site very informative.
November 30th, 2011 at 2:53 am
Great series, Eric! 🙂
November 27th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Thanks for the great post Eric. This is an area I know I need to improve in to better serve my athletes.
November 27th, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Hi Eric,
Great post I find your work great and I am currently really enjoying the high performance handbook.
In relation to core exercises I was hoping that you could clear up the difference between the half kneeling cable chop and the half kneeling anti rotation chop. I know that the set up in both is different but I was wondering what each exercise specifically targeted differently if so at all… I appreciate your response
December 2nd, 2013 at 7:18 am
Do you have videos of the landmines, naked get-ups and pall of presses?
December 2nd, 2013 at 4:57 pm
David,
You can find them on my Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/ecressey
December 4th, 2013 at 7:12 am
Sean,
Because of the higher setting on the cable chop, you’ll get a bit more of a challenge to the anterior core, whereas the anti-rotation chop will be always exclusively rotary stability. Additionally, the forward/back legs are reversed.