Health magazines, gym-class instructors, and YouTube fitness experts frequently speak of the importance of a strong core, the muscles at our body’s center that provide stability and support our movement. It has been suggested that improved core function can reduce symptoms of lower back and pelvic pain, incontinence, and breathing issues. But while the core may be well-known, it is still poorly understood: there is no universally agreed-upon definition of the core or the muscles it comprises.

Core adopts a holistic yet practical approach to demystifying the core, focusing on both its physical significance to bodily movement and its central role in our overall well-being. While physical therapy and core-exercise regimens tend to emphasize strength building and stable posture, clinician and educator Owen Lewis argues for an approach that is also flexible, fluid, and adaptable. He emphasizes functional training and underlying principles over a static list of exercises, providing the groundwork for tailored, individual training to improve core function. Supplemented throughout with color photos and a diverse range of models, Core makes it easy to understand the anatomy of this crucial region of the body, as well as key principles for more effective and safe exercises and training regimens.

Lewis clearly explains how the core works to manage and transfer the force of movement through the center of the body, building on principles of biotensegrity (how the tension and compression of different muscles creates a balanced structure that distributes stress and strain). The final chapters of the book provide a range of useful, functional training exercises suitable for lay readers but especially helpful as examples for therapists and trainers to use with clients.