Core Exercise Machine

The Importance of Strong Core Muscles

The 29 core muscles include your back, hip, pelvic and abdominal muscles. This area is the center of gravity of your body and it is where all body movements originate. When the core muscles are strong, most physical activities are easier to do as the muscles are able to support the spine easily. When your core muscles are weak, you were more prone to lower back pain, muscle injuries and poor posture.

A Core Muscle Exercise Machine - A Fun Ride

Core exercise machines are a fun way to tone and strengthen your core muscles. These machines resemble a horse’s saddle and some models even have stirrups for your feet. Using the principle of counter balance, you simply sit on the saddle and maintain your balance as the saddle moves you around. In order to maintain your balance you have to tighten and relax various groups of core muscles throughout your workout ride. During your core exercise session abdominal, back, hip, pelvic and thigh muscles all get a vigorous workout resulting in increased flexibility and strength and firmer, toned muscles.

Exercise machines for core muscles can be used by almost everyone regardless of their athletic or physical ability or age. There are many benefits of using this type of exercise machine including:

• Increased metabolism which burns calories
• Very little, if any stress or impact to the joints
• Low heart rate increase
• Able to sustain a target heart rate
• Increases blood circulation
• Strengthens core muscles and develops core balance and stability
• Helps to correct posture

Core Trainer Models

There are several different models of core training machines available for home use with prices ranging from $300 - $1600. The exercise machines are similar in design, however, they have different features and price points.

Panasonic Core Trainer

The Panasonic Core Trainer comes with nine pre-programmed levels and offers three program modes. With these optional settings this core trainer is perfect for almost everyone, regardless of exercise limitations or ability, giving them the opportunity to strengthen their core muscle system.

Due to the versatility of this machine you are able to choose and tailor a workout specifically for your needs ranging from a gentle workout to one that is very intense. The tilt is adjustable to three program positions which include:

• Level tilt which works on all of the core muscles equally
• Foreword tilt which focuses more on the abdominal and thigh muscles
• Backward tilt with a strong focus on the muscles in the lower back and glutes

You can further customize your program by varying the speeds and tilts, adding body movements or positions and using handheld weights.

The muscle groups that are worked using a Panasonic Core Trainer include:

• Abdominal
• External oblique
• Gluteus maximus
• Abductor longus
• Medial vastus
• Rectus femoris
• Biceps femoris
• Gastrocnemius
• Tibials anterior
• Soleus
• Gluteus medius
• Paraspinal

Horseback Simulator Core Exercise Machine

Available from Nature’s Tapestry are two horseback exercise machines from Sunpentown. working on the same principle of counter balance. The Horseback Exercise Machine Core Exerciser Giddyup features two motors which closely simulate the actions of riding a horse. One motor controls the up-and-down movements of the machine while the other controls eight various horizontal movements. When you are ready to start your exercise program, you can choose automatic settings or you can select from the three program modes with a combination of five speeds for each motor giving you a total of 25 speed combinations to choose for your workout.

Nature’s Tapestry also offers a core machine with a single motor. This machine features a simple control panel, an automatic setting and five manually operated speed settings. Although it does not have as many features as the other machines, you will still get a very good core muscle workout.

Two other exercise machines for the core muscles are the iGallop and the The Rodeo Pro.

Overall Benefits of Core Muscle Machines

Using a core exercise machine results in a coordinated movement of many different muscles together instead of working on just one muscle area. You are able to get a good workout without very much exertion and have fun at the same time.