Any fitness routine must include core strength exercises to be complete. This is true whether you’re a man or a woman. While most of us tend to focus mainly on the sexy six pack, strengthening your core does so much more than just make you look good, it can affect the condition of your whole body.
One benefit of having a strong core is that it helps to keep your figure straight. A solid core workout targets the stomach muscles or abdominals, side muscles, and back muscles. This can prevent injury from incorrect posture.
In addition to helping your posture, core strength exercises assist with lifting and pushing to make performing daily tasks easier. If you are an athlete having strong core muscles will aid you in almost any sport.
And, not to be overlooked is that a stronger core will give you that enviably hot six pack, boosting not only your physical strength but your confidence as well.
Some very effective core strength exercises include:
Traditional Yoga Plank – One of the most effective exercises to gain a stronger middle core is planking. While you might be tempted not to try this because it looks easy don’t be fooled. It is a very demanding form of exercise.
Side Yoga Plank – This is a variation of the traditional plank that works your obliques or side abdominals. Add this form of planking to the traditional yoga plank to work your whole core.
Push Ups – The humble pushup is essential to our list of core exercise moves. Remember to improve your core and do pushups correctly you must keep your back straight.
Ab Wheel – A basic little ab wheel will really give those abdominals a good workout. Invest in one and add it to your routine.
Leg Raises – Use a horizontal bar to do pullups, raising and lowering your legs. This is especially good for working your lower abs.
Back Bridges – Target your back muscles with back bridges. Having a stronger back will help to prevent injury from any other more strenuous activities or sports that you engage in.
Standing Shoulder Presses – A personal favorite, standing shoulder presses with a barbell is a wonderful way to stabilize your whole core, using your abdominals to lift the weight over your head.
Renegade Dumbbell Rows – This is a challenging set of core strengthening moves, performing extended dumbbell rows with one arm while having the other in a pushup stance.
Barbell Deadlift – Use caution when doing a deadlift to prevent injury to your lower back. You must be already strong to tackle this exercise. Be sure to stand fully straight and employ all of your muscles, your arms, your back, your abs, and your legs to lift the weight evenly.
Front Squats – Do squats while holding either two dumbbells or a small barbell in front of you using your core muscles to shift the weight.
Adding core strength exercises to your workout routine is not difficult. You are likely using your core in many of your current exercises without even realizing it. By being more focused on working those core muscles you can get a much better workout and a healthier body.
