Core Strengthening Exercises That Really Work

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Core Strengthening Exercises That Really Work

Are you determined to strengthen your core? Do you need to transform that squishy muffin top into a taut stomach you wouldn’t mind showing off at summer time? Has your back been bothering you?

A strong core is essential for overall health. The following core strengthening exercises will target your back, abdominals and your oblique muscles, delivering a tight, strong core.

Four Core Strengthening Exercises to Help You Create a Solid  Foundation

The Bicycle

Lie on your back, bend your knees, and lift your feet up into the air (form 90-degree angles.) Now place your hands behind your head and lift your upper torso, twisting to make your left elbow meet your right knee. Relax back down to the floor. Now lift your upper torso, twisting such that your right elbow meets your left knee. Repeat this action, lifting, twisting and bringing elbow to knee for a count of 25.  Relax completely for 30 seconds and then repeat.

The Plank

Flip over onto your stomach. Place your hands under your shoulders, bring your feet together, and then push up into a straight line, rising up on your toes such that your entire body is stiff like a board. Contract your stomach muscles. Hold this position for a solid minute. Relax and repeat. Over time, increase the amount of time you hold each plank position.

Superman

This is a great core strengthening exercise and focuses more on your backside.  IFor this exercise, collapse on the floor on your stomach. Reach forward with both arms and spread your legs behind you until you look like Superman flying into the great blue yonder. Lift your arms and legs off the floor, balancing on your torso, and hold this position for a count of ten. Relax and repeat.

The Twister

Stand up with your feet shoulder width apart. Bend your knees slightly and prepare to hold your legs and hips in place. Raise your arms such that your arms extend out from your body. Twist your upper torso, keeping your lower body stable, twisting first to the left and then to the right. Twist as far as you can (comfortably), and repeat until your feel a slow burn in your oblique muscles. Relax and repeat.

Bonus Tip

Many people think you have to drive to the gym, change into work out clothes and devote an hour to getting hot and sweaty if you want to make a difference. These core strengthening exercises can be completed separate from the rest of your work out routine.

Since core strength is so incredibly important to overall health, you’ll want to prioritize these exercises, making sure you perform them even on days when you don’t make it out for a run or to Zumba class. Why not commit to a set of all four core exercises every morning and evening just to make sure you do them? There’s no need to warm up before performing these exercises, and the time commitment is minimal—especially when you consider the significant results possible.

Commit to two to three sets of these four core strengthening exercises each day and watch what happens. Your whole body will thank you.

Will you make core strengthening a priority in your workouts?  Leave me a comment below and tell me how.

To your health,