Discover stabilizing muscles

The notion of stabilizer muscle can sometimes be misleading, since it is in fact all the muscles of the body. They are only called stabilizers depending on the type of movement that requests them. Far from being groups of muscle tissue, their usefulness is crucial for the balance of the human body. Without this principle of stabilization, no one would be able to stand up. However, it is useful to strengthen them, especially for very high level athletes.

A principle ignored by the majority of people

The theory that stabilizer muscles are groups of muscles is wrong. You have to start by knowing how they work. First, the human body is made up of 600 muscles. Distributed over all parts, limbs, trunk, head… They become entangled or aligned. Their activities are multiple, they can contract, stretch, rest… It depends on their use. For specialists, their role is divided into five functions: engine, assistance, antagonist, stabilizer and neutralizer. A misconception has since gained traction that there are groups of muscles that take care of only one function.

 The role of stabilizing muscles

 System of interdependent combinations

However, researchers have proven that virtually any muscle in the body can perform these five functions. The position that the muscle takes will depend on the gesture performed by the human body. For example, an X muscle is required for lifting any mass. In order for the action to take place properly, the Y muscle contracts. In other words, stabilizes, so that X can succeed in its action. This way, there will be no interference between the two. Otherwise, the expected result may become messy. And vice versa, if muscle Y is called upon to perform a movement, X acts as a stabilizer.

Towards a balanced and efficient body

The musculature is a particularly complex system. In this whole organized structure of tissues, the stabilizing muscles play a major role. In the bodybuilding, they are very important to ensure a balanced and sustained development of the body. By analogy, these muscles are used to keep the body in balance during movement. Many would argue that it is the center of gravity that provides stability. For athletes, stabilizing muscles must be taken into account. By analogy, they serve as a knot of tension to allow other muscles to perform movements. The knowledge of practitioners on this subject is sometimes limited. Hence the need to provide more details.

A particularly effective principle

This mechanism is crucial, since it brings strength and precision with every movement. Indeed, it allows the body to adopt the ideal position to perform the gesture. Furthermore, it constitutes an excellent bulwark against injuries. However, do not believe that these are always the muscles neighbors who can support each other. There are cases where tissues of different positions on one part of the body also perform this mechanism. During a deadlift to build the biceps, the muscles used are the biceps brachialis and the anterior brachialis. They are located just below the elbow. On the other hand, the stabilizer muscle is that of the shoulder, located a little higher.

How to improve stabilizer muscles?

 Knowing how to stick to goals

The stabilizer muscles can be strengthened. Again, these are not specific muscle groups. Only, when a muscle is weak to ensure movement, you have to think about toning it. This can happen after an injury. Well-defined exercises and regular training are the foundations for strengthening these muscles. For some practitioners, doing these movements outside the room, in a neutral place, will be more motivating to strengthen these fixing tissues. However, there is no precise rule on this last point. The important thing is to apply as much as possible in the series.

 More feelings among beginners

The importance of stabilizing muscles is felt most by those new to bodybuilding. Aches are all signals of their lack of strength. Just like the tremors when lifting or pulling up. Or when the novice practitioner is trying out a new movement. Sometimes advanced athletes can even face this situation. This is why it is necessary to know the precise exercises to strengthen them. In general, weak stabilizer muscles are often the muscles that are not used much in everyday life. This applies as much to the seasoned athlete as to the individual who does not practice any sport.  

Necessary at the high level

Poorly executed workouts to improve the performance of stabilizer muscles could lead to dangerous consequences. First of all, doing this type of exercise is rather reserved for a specific purpose. In most cases, it is reserved for practitioners of team sports, such as football or basketball. They need a lot of stability to ensure their movements. If some muscles perform less well than others, their muscle coordination will be incomplete. For example, they will not be able to perform catch on the fly or have a good trigger for rebounds. It goes without saying that these trainings are practiced in high level sports leagues.

 The new methods

At this time, no special exercises are intended for the stabilizing muscles. The least strained muscles in the body are the internal obliques, the pelvic floor, the multifidus, etc. They are located in the spine and pelvis. Doing workouts intended to strengthen them is risky without a very strict application. Despite advances in research, existing equipment on the market supposedly designed for stabilizing muscle exercises is not effective. On the other hand, several approaches have been created to facilitate their reinforcement. Like breathing Pilates, based on controlled inspirations and exhalations.

Better listen to your body

Do not fall for advice on the web regarding specific exercises to strengthen stabilizer muscles.s. First of all, you should know that it is not a specific location or a defined muscle group. Diligent and rigorous practice can strengthen these tissues. Afterwards, you have to trust nature. Although musculature is a complex mechanism, it is also an efficient mechanism. Good practice always brings good results.