I've been trying to find out a good answer for this but i'm stumped.

Long story short my core strength is absolutely ****, which is even made worse by the fact i'm quite a physically strong person, do work in a warehouse which is very physically intensive, and am 6'5 and around 110kg.

If i come up with a core strength programme, even if its something like pilates mixed in with other exercises, can i do the same workout everyday, or do i need to treat it like doing weights and make every 2nd day a rest day?

Read the faq. Do Starting Strength which is a barbell training program. Squats and deadlifts are a billion times better at developing core strength(since its impossible to lift something without using your core). Also, something like pilates is not going to build any additional strength above what you're doing at your job (it may help prevent injuries just due to the requisite stretching, but it will not build any core strength for a manual laborer like yourself). Getting stronger lifting heavy things at the gym will help you immensely at your job.

I work at a warehouse as well(UPS).

Injury prevention/pain reduction is mostly why i'm doing the pilates.

My actual strength isn't the issue, most things i have to lift/move etc i do without it physically being difficult, it's just my core which is ****, i had a core test and i'm pretty dam piss weak.

I'll look into that starting strength, thanks.

Should i do core exercise the same muscles everyday?

The core test was **** then. Its impossible to lift anything without using your core. Its just a function of how the body works. Barring some horrible degenerative disease or condition, then there is no way that someone lifting heavy **** on regular basis has a weak core. Tests like that are designed to have people fail so that they buy training sessions or some exercise program or other random bs that someone is shilling.*

The SS program is done 3X a week which is detailed in the book and the Wiki. Although, I highly reccomend the book or at least the dvd. The book is wonderful guide on how to properly perform the exercises as well as the theory behind everything. The dvd, while not as dense, will show and teach quite well how to perform the exercises. The wiki, while free, is incomplete.

Learning to how properly lift a heavy barbell will also teach you how to properly lift **** at work and help prevent injuries. It will also make your job easier as you won't be as exhausted after lifting something really heavy.

I agree with pretty much everything dtemp said.

Your back pain probably comes from lifting with bad form, like bending at your back, not using legs, etc. Just a guess.

Also, you shouldn't do core strengthening everyday as your abdominal muscles are the same as any other muscle group. They don't grow when they are being worked, they grow on rest days. Obv this is harder to do with your core muscles as the previous poster mentioned you use your core muscles all the time throughout the day, especially at a job where you lift things.

Pretty much do what dtemp said and treat abs as any other muscle group. Also know that you will good core workout just doing squats, etc., so plan workouts accordingly to leave for enough rest.

What the hell is a core test?

This is really not true. Obviously you'll never be 100% fresh if you train a muscle everyday, but it certainly is adapting and being regenerated/remodeled/whateveryouwannacallit and it is getting stronger. You just might not see it at first due to the built up fatigue.

A good reason not to do **** everyday is that it greatly simplifies programming and seems to be just as effective if not more effective for novices since they recover so fast anyways.

I guess what I meant was that if you work it everyday, you won't get maximum value for your effort. By this I mean, you aren't giving your body enough time to fully repair the damage you've done with your workout. Obv muscle growth and regeneration is a fluid thing, so the repair process probably starts soon after you tear your first muscle fiber during your workout. I'm just saying it is more efficient to rest a day or two between to allow your body time to act. If you work your core everyday, you will have a stronger core. If you work your core 4 days a week, I think you would have similar results for less effort, IMO.

i just had this random thought. i used move furniture as a job and i was wondering can you actually lift anything properly that is oddly shaped? i wanted to lift stuff with my legs but ended up using my back b/c some shapes are just awkward like a big box where you need to get it above ur knees so ur not bumping them on the box while you walk and then you end up having bad back position trying to walk up steps.

what?

strongman....

edit: wrt OP, if i were lifting stuff everyday, i would probably avoid higher intensity lifting that would negatively impact my daily performance. it would make much more sense to me to slowly progress a program that's at a much lower intensity/volume.

it doesn't sound like SS is what OP is looking for, and i don't think SS as written is a good fit for OP given the few details he's given.

If you really want to develop core strength I suggest doing some of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq0M1...eature=related

You may have to start out with 2 hands, but if you are very dedicated you should be able to progress so you can do all the work with your core.

Sometimes I think you are pretty much f'ed. Get one of those lower back support wraps and do your best. There are some jobs that will hurt your body in the long run IMO. Not really great advice, maybe someone else has some good tips.

Rippetoe covers this in SS and PPST. Have you read the books yet or are you just going to post questions like this all over H&F?

If core strength really is your weakness then doing something like 2 two sets of 5 of Turkish get ups per side a day would get you up to speed pretty quickly. GTG and PTP programs that incorporate the same exercises each day are great for increasing strength quickly.

What is PTP?


NB: FAQ does not include this information.

Power to the people? Pavel's book I assume since ISF is a kettletard.

Yes, thats it. I think the program goes something like 2 sets of 5 every day with your 10rm for a few weeks.

I've read in Men's Fitness/Men's Health that the core recovers quickly and can be worked out almost daily if not daily.

Well that means it must be true.