How strong is your core?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  How often are you currently doing core strength exercises?

  • A.
    Never.
  • B.
    When I think of it.
  • C.
    Consistently 3-5x/week.
• 2.
  When you are doing core strength exercises are you:

  • A.
    Doing mostly "abs" exercises ie crunches, planks.
  • B.
    Doing a variety of exercises that emphasize spinal mechanics.
  • C.
    I don't do core strength exercises on a regular basis.
• 3.
  During core workouts, do you tend to wonder...

  • A.
    Am I doing this correctly?
  • B.
    Where should I be feeling this?
  • C.
    How will this make me stronger, fitter, and faster?
  • D.
    None of the above: I don't even know what I should be doing or how often.
  • E.
    I got this. I know exactly what to do, what I should be feeling, what to do and how often.
• 4.
  Are you getting enough core strength work in?

  • A.
    I’m not really sure… What counts as ‘enough?’ 
  • B.
    Yes, I prioritize core workouts. I can’t perform my best if I’m not as strong as possible 🤷‍♀️
  • C.
    I try to get it in, but it is so easy to forget, and there's so little time! Maybe if I just keep doing my swim, run, or bike workouts, out my core will get stronger.
• 5.
  From 1-10, how satisfied are you with your current level of core strength?

  • A.
    1-4 — It’s definitely not the best. It’s difficult finding the motivation and time to do core workouts.
  • B.
    5-7 — It’s not the best… But it’s also not the worst. I feel like I don't need to do any "extra" work to maintain my fitness or get faster.
  • C.
    8-10 — Rock solid. I know that I am as strong as possible, I'm getting stronger, fitter, and faster and I am bulletproof against overuse injury.
• 6.
  What is your biggest reason for wanting a strong core?

  • A.
    To get stronger, fitter, and faster.
  • B.
    To avoid overuse injury.
  • C.
    To get rid of current pain and discomfort e.g. back pain, shoulder pain.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  How Strong Is Your Core?

  When it comes to core strength, you've got a way to go... but you’re off to an awesome start! By completing this quiz, you’ve taken the first step to getting stronger, fitter, faster, and avoiding overuse injury!Whatever your specific goals may be, rest assured that with a little guidance and support you can achieve — even exceed — them!Three tips to help you on your path to a stronger you...1) Re-think core strength...Core strength exercise doesn’t have to look like you sweating it out in an overcrowded gym. You don't need to do endless crunches, burpees, or 5-minute planks. Believe it or not, less is more!2) Find your core...Most people think their core is just "abs" but it's more than that! Once we know what our core muscles are, it's a whole lot easier to strengthen them.3) Get specific...If you want to build a strong core, it will take time spent doing specific exercises, for your specific goals as an athlete. If you just google workouts, or search YouTube, chances are, you'll find exercises, but not exactly what you need."Who’s this core strength nerd with all the tips?" Let me introduce myself...Hey there 🙋‍♀️ I’m Alexis, certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor. I help athletes *just like you* actually get stronger form the inside, out (yes, from the core!) without wondering where should I be feeling this? What’s my philosophy? You may ask...Well it’s all about habits (aka. little actions that make a massive difference over time). Almost 15 years ago I was not in the habit of working on core strength and it took a toll on my body in the form of various overuse injuries that put me on the sidelines. Once I discovered how to tap into my core, and strengthen it (nope, not just by doing "abs exercises") I became obsessed with sharing my training methods with other athletes.Looking for a little extra guidance? Check out these three resources...1. Download my free tips to perfect your plank. One of the most effective (and poorly coached) exercises! If you've struggled with planks in the past, this is for you. Click here.2. Read this post on my blog where I tell you the secret to getting stronger. Hint: it's not about having six-pack abs! Read here.3. Follow along on Instagram. Each week I share my tips and tricks to building a stronger core - effectively and efficiently. Click here to follow.
• 2.
  You're On Your Way....

  You know that core strength and mobility should be a top priority, but sometimes it’s a little difficult drumming up the motivation...If you want to continue to do the sports you love for years to come, but you have a hard time finding time for "something extra" like core work, you’re so not alone!Luckily, when you decide to make a lasting change, you’ve got everything it takes to reach your goals. All you need is a little push… And that’s what I’m here for!Three tips to help you on your path to a stronger, fitter, faster, (and more injury-proof!) athlete...1) Find Your CoreCore strength workouts are only as effective as what you do before you even start moving. What do I mean? Well, if you have ever done a core workout and been wondering, "Where exactly should I be feeling this?" or, "what does it mean to engage my core?" you are not alone!Most trainers just tell us what to do, ie how to do the exercise but the FIRST thing we need to do is find our core. These muscles are deep and small and if we don't create a mind-body connection before we begin to move, our bigger, bossier muscles will do all the work.2) Get SpecificSure there are a ton of core strenth workouts on YouTube or via Google, and maybe you’ve done these, but you're still not getting stronger, or feeling stronger. Here's why: as an endurance athlete, you need to be doing exercises that will help your excel in your sport, but also exercises that will help us get stronger in all the planes of motion that we don't move in. It's not just about doing abs exercises.3) Be ConsistentI get it, we'd all rather be doing something more fun, like the sports we love to do…But if we ant to keep doing these sports for a long time, and get better at them, we've got to be consistent with core strength. "Who’s this core strength nerd with all the tips?" Let me introduce myself...Hey there 🙋‍♀️ I’m Alexis, certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor. I help athletes *just like you* actually get stronger form the inside, out (yes, from the core!) without wondering where should I be feeling this? What’s my philosophy? You may ask...Well it’s all about habits (aka. little actions that make a massive difference over time). Almost 15 years ago I was not in the habit of working on core strength and it took a toll on my body in the form of various overuse injuries that put me on the sidelines. Once I discovered how to tap into my core, and strengthen it (nope, not just by doing "abs exercises") I became obsessed with sharing my training methods with other athletes.Looking for a little extra guidance? Check out these three resources...1. Download my free tips to perfect your plank. One of the most effective (and poorly coached) exercises! If you've struggled with planks in the past, this is for you. Click here.2. Read this post on my blog where I tell you the secret to getting stronger. Hint: it's not about having six-pack abs! Read here.3. Follow along on Instagram. Each week I share my tips and tricks to building a stronger core - effectively and efficiently. Click here to follow.
• 3.
  You're On the Right Path - Let's Keep It Going

  When it comes to building core strength and mobility, you are off to a great start! Even the strongest, most diligent athletes have room for improvement and more consistent results...Three ways that I can help you build on your momentum so that you can continue to do the sports you love for years to come:1) Perfect Your PlankI'm sure you're an ace when it comes to the plank, one of the most common and effective core strength exercises...but trust me: even my strongest clients have AHA moments when they see how I like to teach this exercise. Read my favorite tips and tricks here.2) Uplevel your strength with THIS tip that most trainers skip.Believe it or not, strengthening your core starts before you even do your first rep. I teach all of my clients that we need to be doing this ONE thing if we want to optimize our core strength workouts. Read more here.3) Join The Endurance HubNever get bored of doing the same old core strength routine, or let your strength plateau! Learn more here. "Who’s this core strength nerd with all the tips?" Let me introduce myself...Hey there 🙋‍♀️ I’m Alexis, certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor. I help athletes *just like you* actually get stronger form the inside, out (yes, from the core!) without wondering where should I be feeling this? What’s my philosophy? You may ask...Well it’s all about habits (aka. little actions that make a massive difference over time). Almost 15 years ago I was not in the habit of working on core strength and it took a toll on my body in the form of various overuse injuries that put me on the sidelines. Once I discovered how to tap into my core, and strengthen it (nope, not just by doing "abs exercises") I became obsessed with sharing my training methods with other athletes.Follow along on Instagram!Each week I share my tips and tricks to building a stronger core - effectively and efficiently. Click here to follow.