Working it to the core: Strengthening the body from your hips to shoulders can give you better balance and help prevent injury.

Byline: Jane Kwiatkowski

Nov. 11--"Core" has become a buzzword in fitness circles -- but what exactly does it mean?

The core of the body is the area from hips to shoulders, the basis for all movement. By strengthening and stretching the muscles that support your core, you fortify your body, allowing arms and legs to work efficiently.

For everyone, a strong core affords better balance and helps prevent injury. For athletes like runners and tennis players, the benefits also include good improved ability to keep going when fatigued, and of course strength can help speed.

The core can be strengthened with specific exercises using body weight, such as crunches with overhead reaches, or any other combination of exercises that stretch and strengthen. But the more popular core exercise regimens include Pilates, yoga and Gyrokinesis.

"Pilates has restored the posture and the muscle strength I lost from having four kids in rapid succession," said Stephanie Argentine, 38. "It has done far more…