Best Core Exercises (That Aren’t Sit Ups)
Building a strong core is vital. Every
movement you make comes from your core, so building muscles there will
help every workout and even everyday life much better. It also doesn’t
hurt to have a nice, toned stomach. However, many people can get stuck
in a rut of doing sit up after sit up without seeing the results they
want. Here are some of the best core exercises that aren’t sit ups to
help you build a strong middle.
V-Ups
This is like a sit-up on steroids. Lie on
your back with your arms and legs extended. Using your abdominal
muscles, simultaneously raise your legs and your upper body so that you
can touch your fingers to your toes (or at least as close as you can
get). Lower back down. Be sure to keep your back straight for maximum
results.
Bicycle Kicks
Bicycle kicks will tone the sides of your
body and your abs. Lie on your back with your hands behind your head
and your legs out in front of you. Raise both legs off the ground. Bend
one knee toward you while simultaneously lifting your chest and twisting
your body so your elbow meets your knee. Return to the starting
position and repeat on the other side.
Superman
This exercise works your glutes and back,
which are important parts of your core that sometimes get overlooked.
Lie facedown on the floor with your arms and legs extended, palms facing
the ground. Pinching your shoulder blades together, lift your arms,
chest, and legs off the ground. Slowly return to the floor. For an
additional upper body workout, you can bend your elbows and pull your
arms back while you’re in the raised position. Extend them back out and
lower down.
Basic Plank
The plank is essentially the mother of
all core exercises. It works your abs, chest, back, shoulders, and it
can easily be done anywhere. Place your hands on the floor directly
underneath your shoulders. Put your feet out behind you so your body is
in a straight line facing the ground. Engage your abdominal muscles and
keep your body level. Make sure that your bottom doesn’t sag or stick up
too high in the air. Hold for as long as you can maintain proper form.
You can place your knees on the ground if you need a modification.
Moving Plank
The plank is great because it’s such a
versatile exercise. Moving while you do a plank adds a level of
difficulty. Move from your hands to your forearms to work your
shoulders. You can also do a “walking plank” where you walk your hands
and feet a few inches in each direction.
Russian Twist
Sit on the floor with your knees bent in
front of you and your feet flat on the ground. Lean back forty-five
degrees while keeping your back straight. Slowly twist as far as your
can from side to side. You can hold a weight or medicine ball in your
hands to make it more challenging.
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