Yes, your pelvic floor is absolutely considered a crucial part of your core.
The core is not just the "six-pack" muscles you see on the surface. Instead, it's a deep, interconnected system of muscles that work together to stabilize the spine, pelvis, and torso.
Think of your core as a muscular "box" or cylinder:
● The top: The diaphragm (your main breathing muscle).
● The front: The transverse abdominis, your deepest abdominal muscle.
● The back: The multifidus and other deep back muscles.
● The bottom: The pelvic floor muscles.
These four muscle groups work together in a coordinated way to create stability and control the pressure inside your abdomen. A weak or dysfunctional pelvic floor can compromise the entire core system, leading to issues like lower back pain, poor posture, and, of course, incontinence.
Therefore, for a truly strong and functional core, it's essential to train all of these muscle groups, including the often-overlooked pelvic floor.
Building a strong powerhouse (core) is the cornerstone of Pilates. We work on all aspects of your core: diaphragm, transverse abdominus (TA), multifidus and of course strengthening and relaxing your pelvic floor (to address both weaknesses and tightness, two separate concerns).
A strong core is key to maintaining an active life into old age.