November 28, 2025, 8:36 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Most people mistakenly train their abs primarily for aesthetic reasons. They often limit their workouts to the summer months when they want to look good with a lot of bare skin. However, many forget that the abdominal muscles also have functions beyond appearance that are extremely important for health. Trainer and FITBOOK expert Alina Bock explains what these are and why ab training is important even in winter.
The so-called six-pack, which is a fitness goal for many and particularly admirable, includes the straight abdominal muscles of the rectus abdominis. But the abdominal muscles consist of more than just the superficial abs. Beneath them are the transverse abdominal muscles (transversus abdominis), the external oblique muscles (obliquus externus abdominis), and the internal oblique muscles (obliquus internus abdominis).
The Importance of a Stable Core
Aside from appearance, a stable core fulfills many important functions that are crucial for overall health.
For Coordination and Balance
Coordination and balance are essential traits for a functioning body. The abdominal muscles play an important role in achieving these functions. The core acts as a link between the upper and lower body–the more developed the muscles in this area and the more trained the coordination, the better the body works as a whole. Imbalances between the lower back and abs can be balanced out, leading to better balance. Additionally, the deep abdominal muscles help stabilize the body, also leading to improved coordination and balance. Especially in older age, this can prevent injuries, such as those caused by falls.
For Posture and Back Health
A trained core stabilizes the spine like a corset, ensuring its stabilization and alignment. Additionally, training the pelvic floor, which is engaged when training the deep abdominal muscles, promotes a healthy and upright posture. By aligning the spine, it is protected, and back problems are prevented. Also, during strength training of the entire body, especially in full-body exercises like squats, deadlifts, and similar activities, a stable core, when properly engaged, aids in stabilization, balance, and the protection of the pelvic floor and spine.
Prevention of Pelvic Floor Problems
Strong abdominal muscles not only protect the spine and consequently back health but also the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor, consisting of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, closes off the core at the bottom and supports internal organs. These include the bladder, rectum, uterus, and prostate. When lifting heavy objects or performing heavy strength exercises like squats without abdominal tension or with poorly developed abdominal muscles, the weight rests on the pelvic floor. Over time, this can lead to pelvic floor damage and reduced functionality. Therefore, it is all the more important to train the deep abdominal muscles to effectively prevent these damages.