A Journey of Discovery
I used to reference “the core” regularly in my classes and workshops. If someone had asked me to explain it years ago, I probably would have described it as the deep abdominal muscles, particularly the transverse abdominis. At the time, I thought I understood core training well.
Then I experienced acute lower back pain myself.
That moment forced me to stop and question what I really knew. How could someone who spent years teaching “core work” still struggle with pain and instability? I realised I needed a much deeper understanding of how the body truly functions from the inside out.
The Pelvic Floor First Project
That realisation led me to the Pelvic Floor First project, introduced by my friend Lisa Westlake. Looking back, it became one of the most important learning experiences of my career in the fitness industry.
The journey completely changed how I viewed movement, posture, breathing, strength and the role of the core. It wasn’t just about stronger abdominals. It was about understanding the body as a connected support system.
The Core Unveiled
One of the biggest things I learnt was that strong abdominals don’t automatically mean a strong core. The deeper support system of the body works very differently, and when it’s not functioning well, the effects can show up as back pain, pressure, instability or loss of confidence in movement.
The core is not just one muscle group. It includes the diaphragm, pelvic floor, deep abdominal muscles and muscles surrounding the spine, all working together to create support and stability from within.
At the same time, the larger outer muscles of the trunk are also important. These muscles help us move, lift, rotate, balance and transfer power through the body. Both systems matter, and both need attention.
In today’s world of long hours sitting, poor posture and reduced movement, it’s easy for these systems to become out of balance.
Why Pelvic Floor Awareness Matters
You can’t see your pelvic floor, but you can certainly feel the effects when it’s not functioning optimally. It supports the pelvic organs, helps manage continence, assists breathing mechanics and contributes to spinal stability and alignment.
The goal isn’t to avoid movement. It’s choosing movement that helps your body become stronger and more supported over time, without creating unnecessary pressure or strain.
That’s especially important in group fitness and home workouts, where exercise choices, technique and progression all matter.
This understanding has shaped the way I now teach and design workouts. Every session inside the Train with Marietta membership is created with pelvic floor awareness in mind, offering supportive options for those wanting low-impact movement as well as progressions for those ready for higher intensity.
The aim is not simply to exercise harder, but to move better and feel stronger from the inside out.
Strength from the Inside Out
When your core works well, movement feels different. You feel more connected, more supported and more confident in both exercise and everyday life. That’s something worth training for.
If you’d like to experience workouts that improve strength, balance, mobility and core function with pelvic floor awareness in mind, the Train with Marietta membership gives you access to a full library of supportive and effective classes.
From low-impact aerobics and Gymstick workouts to mSwing mobility sessions, body conditioning and stretch-based classes. Every workout is designed to help you move with confidence, strength and care at every stage of life.
0 Comments