Core strength is essential to accomplish things you do every day. It affects your posture, balance, and stability. Most think your core is just abdominal muscles, but that’s not the case. It consists of back muscles, abdominal muscles, obliques, muscles that wrap from front to side, and back muscles to support the spine.
Core muscles work together to stabilize your body in everything we do. Strengthening your core improves your performance whether you’re training for a marathon or just walking up stairs without getting winded.
The core is used in every workout and is the focus of your muscle structure. Focusing on this area during exercises can have significant benefits.
As your body gets fatigued, the core is engaged more and more to provide assistance. If you’re looking to improve your everyday performance, doing these targeted exercises will help you increase core strength for any activity.
Daily Planks
The best way to increase strength in your core is doing daily planks. Doing these every day for a minute or two can tighten these muscles in only a couple of weeks. Use the steps to complete the workout.
- Start on all fours, with hands below your shoulders and knees below your waist.
- Now straighten your legs behind you, keep your feet in line with your waist.
- Tighten your core.
- Hold for 10-20 seconds.
- Repeat 3-5 sets.
When you gain strength, you can increase the sets and length of time you tighten your core. Make this exercise easier by placing your knees on the floor.
Bridge
This workout focuses on your glutes to lift your hips. You’ll strengthen your core, your butt, and your thighs with this activity. Follow these steps to complete the workout.
- Starting on your back, bending your knees and plant your feet flat on the floor aligned to your waist.
- Now tighten your glutes and core.
- Raise your waist until it aligns with your shoulders.
- Hold for 10-20 seconds.
- Repeat 3-5 sets.
Once again, you can lengthen the time and sets as you gain strength.
Crunches
This is the classic move to strengthen your core. Lifting your upper body works the core muscles. Use these steps to complete this workout.
- Starting on your back, bending your knees and plant your feet flat on the floor aligned to your waist. Align your head with your spine and cross your arms across your chest.
- Now tighten your core while relaxing your neck and shoulders. Keep your chin tucked and lift your upper back while keeping the pelvis, low back, and feet to the floor. Hold for a split second.
- Return to the start position by slowly lowering your back to the floor.
- Repeat 8-10 times.
Be cautious if you have pain in your lower back. Start slowly with just a few reps at a time. Increase the reps and sets as you strengthen your core.
Core workouts won’t feel the same as other weight lifting exercises. You might just feel a dull ache when you’re finished. It’s essential to focus on your technique as you complete these exercises. Start off at a comfortable pace and let your core build strength over time.
Complete these workouts daily, and you will get the results you seek. Remember, your core is the fuel tank your other muscles rely on as they get exhausted. Exercising in this area is key to your overall strength.