These muscles are unsung heroes when it comes to full-body support and injury prevention

In consideration of the strength in our bodies, we tend to look toward muscle groups like biceps or quadriceps (or most talked about abs). However, there are also other muscles we tend to neglect or forget about and they contribute immensly to our well-being. They are the forgotten muscles of our anatomy—those we never pay any attention to, yet provide critical support and protect us from injury.

The Importance of Core Stability

The Core: The muscles that are fundamental for our physical functioning such as the famous abs but also deeper components like transverse abdominis, multifidus. They play an important role in stabilizing the spine and pelvis during everyday activities, as well as high-intensity sports. A solid core also increases balance, perfects posture and helps prevent back injuries—once of the hallmarks of a cleaner fitter life.

Ancillary Uses of Lesser Musculature

In addition to the major muscle groups, there are also several small muscles that play an important role in weightlifting which include shoulder stabilizers and hip abductors. While they may not be the showstoppers, these are the muscles that quietly labor behind-the-scenes to ensure joint stability and maintain range of motion for our movements. If you lack strength in these areas, it can lead to compensatory patterns that greatly increase your risk for strains and sprains. Getting Stronger will help these invisible, silent movers to create an improved functional movement and longevity.

Muscle Balance and the Prevention of Injury

People tend to think of injury prevention in terms of being flexible and strong, but it is also strongly associated with muscle balance. The truth, however is muscles work as a pair — when one tightens the other should be slack. When there is an imbalance—tight hip flexors and weak glutes, for example—it can set you up for injury. When we can identify and strengthen these often under-worked muscles, it gives us a much more well-rounded muscular structure that will hold up to whatever physical stressors you place on your body.

Benefits of Functional Training

Want to isolate these critical muscle groups more effectively in your workout routine? Function exercise is exercising multiple muscle groups to complete a single movement, hence simulating human body movements inherent in daily activities. By doing this, you are not only going to strengthen the large muscles of a certain set but all those small stabilizers that get left out and play an important role in use while being active.

Conclusion

Muscles that are foundational in our ability to move and those which help prevent injury need acknowledgement, they warrant a spot on the proverbial pedestal of muscle groups within one’s fitness regime. With new awareness of the important functions these muscles perform, we can come to increase our physical performance as much as improve on stability and reduce risk for injury. So the next time you go to the gym or participate in other physical activities, show some love for these forgotten body parts!