Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, displaying her amazing feat of strength on royal engagements. As a committed sportswoman, she practices different sports, reflecting her passion for fitness. At 43, she was recently on court as a participant in the first ever tennis COACH workshop at Craigmount High School in Edinburgh. There, she demonstrated her jaw-dropping flexibility and incredible core strength.
Throughout the workshop, Middleton displayed her amazing physical prowess. She curled up on the floor with her legs tucked beneath her and her arms raised overhead. This standing position showcased her remarkable core stability or core strength, key attributes for stabilizing the body while in motion or during stillness.
Middleton’s how you show your core strength isn’t all about a ripped six pack. It covers a wide range of muscle groups, strengthening the muscles that stabilize your pelvis, lower back, transverse abdominals and hips. Her powerful ‘trunk’ gives her the agility to swing, spin and flip to her heart’s content. For instance, she can just sit a V-sit at 60 degrees.
A Lifelong Passion for Sports
Kate Middleton—now Princess of Wales—has been an avid sports lover since she was a child, and her passion built a foundation for her fitness journey. Yet she has continued to engage in an impressive array of competitive and recreational sports over the decades. The highlight of her travels was participating in a Bandy hockey game in Stockholm, Sweden.
Her recent success in breaking records across all sports showcases her powerful and unparalleled talent. Beyond that, it inspires people near and far to make their own health and well-being a priority. By participating in such different endeavors, she leads by example in emphasizing the value of well-rounded fitness and how it contributes to physical and mental well-being.
“Women in their forties, many of whom will be postpartum, need to prioritise core strength to help reduce niggles in their lower back and improve their posture,” – Nancy.
Training for Core Strength
To build core strength like Kate Middleton, fitness gurus say to integrate a range of workouts to any exercise routines. Incorporating compound movements, like dumbbell goblet squats, and isometric exercises, including planks, are helpful for building stronger core muscles. Rotational core exercises and anti-rotation movements help create a more stable trunk. Add Russian twists, bicycle crunches, bird dogs, and plank shoulder taps to your exercise routine for optimal results.
Additionally, she points out, a holistic approach is important for women looking to improve their core strength.
“They often get overlooked because they don’t get marketed as specific ‘ab’ exercises, but arguably they are even more effective for improving core stability, as you’re recruiting multiple muscle groups in a movement.”
Middleton’s attention to functional fitness helps her athletically but improves her overall health. Bringing her hip flexors, hamstrings and shoulders into play during training helps keep her nimble and flexible. Nancy notes the significance of this approach:
“This is important because too often, women get poor advice about how to ‘get a six pack’. It’s about taking a holistic approach, not trying to do 100 crunches a day and hoping for immediate results.”
The Benefits of Functional Fitness
Kate Middleton’s fitness secrets involve core strength and functional fitness. She teaches an aspirational standard for anyone looking to improve their physical potential. As a passionate advocate for sports, she’s an inspiration for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy.
“Dedicating time to improving functional range of motion will help avoid tight muscles and stiff joints.”
By prioritizing core strength and functional fitness, Kate Middleton sets an example for others looking to enhance their physical capabilities. Her passion for sports serves as an encouragement for individuals of all ages to remain active and healthy.
