Matt Espeut’s Fit For Life: Great Abs Now

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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Matt Espeut, GoLocalWorcester Health + Lifestyle Contributor

I heard one of my mentors give this great analogy: if you lift weights or strength train with a weak core, it’s like firing a cannon from a canoe. Think about it! Or, I say, it’s like building a fortress on sandbags.

I see it daily: Guys in the gym killing themselves for an hour, then get on some “ab” machine, or do a few minutes of crunches and then go home. Sure, they can look great, from a distance. But when you look closer you notice the forward head tilt, the weight belts, the rounded shoulders, etc. These guys are guaranteed to acquire back pain due to the lack of core strength and stability.

If you are a golfer or waiter with lower back pain, it’s usually due to instability of the core. Having a strong core requires two things:

• Proper nutrition
• Proper training technique

When your mid-section is properly conditioned, you not only look better—you stand taller, lift heavier weights (if that is part of your goal), and perform your daily activities better and with less injury. All core routines should consist of abdominal and lower back training using movements in a multi plainer range of motion.

Again, set your goals—and regardless of what they are—bulking up, having less injuries and strain, looking great, or being in your best condition, remember, it’s all about THE CORE – regardless of what else you do. 

Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and continues to train at several facilities in the Providence area including Gold's Gym and CORE Studio, and he believes continued education is a must in his field. Email Matt: [email protected], check out his website at www.fitnessprofiles.net or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut.

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