Why core strength matters more than just the six-packVisible abs might be the poster child of fitness goals, but strengthening your core is about much more than aesthetics. The lower abs, on the other hand, are a bit shy. Unlike arms or chest muscles, abs don’t bulk up quickly. They require consistency and a blend of strength work and fat loss to become visible. The plank: the quiet hero of core trainingIf there’s one exercise no core routine should skip, it’s the plank.