Ball Balance for a Strong Core

Sit on a stability ball with both feet together. (Be sure your ball is the proper size. When sitting your hips should be level with or 1-2 inches above your knees.) Once this skill is mastered safely, add a balance challenge to strengthen your core. To perform the exercise, lift your right foot up off the floor. If you’re stable, extend your right knee. Keep your torso upright and straight, and pull your belly button into your spine. Hold for 10 seconds, and then return your right foot to the floor. Next, lift your left foot up off the floor, extend your left knee. Hold for 10 seconds.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Ball Balance for a Strong Core

Buddy Up for Core

Strengthen your core and have fun with your workout buddy with this dynamic exercise. The medicine ball pass will challenge your coordination, and your muscles. Grab a 2-4lb medicine ball or small stability ball. Stand back to back with your partner. Turn to your side and pass the ball to your partner. Continue passing the ball in one circular direction by rotating your torso for ten reps. Rest for 10-30 seconds, and then reverse the direction.

Buddy Up for Core

Toe Touches for Core

Toe touches work your entire core, hips, legs and arms all in one challenging move. Begin by lying on your back on the floor. Raise both legs up off the floor, with your knees slightly bent. Next, exhale and reach both arms up to touch your shoes. Inhale and lower your upper body only half way down to the floor to complete one rep. Do ten times. For more of a challenge, lift and lower your legs and upper body simultaneously.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Can you touch your toes?

Plank with Side Step

Begin in a plank position. Keeping your upper body in one place, and stabilizing your core. Step your right foot to the side about six inches, pause for a few seconds, and then return to your starting position. Next, step your left foot the side about six inches, pause, and then return to your starting position. Repeat 10 times.

Plank… Plus!

Fit Body:

Intro to a Pushup

The challenge of a push up for many is the core stability needed to maintain your torso and hip position. Master proper core stability of your pushup by making your knees, instead of your toes, the pivot point at first. Here’s how: Place both knees on the floor and hold both feet up off the floor. Next, place both hands slightly wider than shoulder-width flat on the floor. Pull your belly button up toward your spine to maintain your torso position. Then, bend both elbows lowering your chest to the floor. Finally, straighten both elbows and push your body up to complete one rep.

Intro to a Pushup

Core and Legs Combo

Work your core and legs together with this super-effective exercise. Begin without weight and master form first. Here’s how: Lie on your back, with both knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Next straighten your right leg and lift it up so your heel is facing the ceiling. Next, raise your right arm straight up so it is also perpendicular to the floor. In one motion, lower your right leg so it’s parallel to the floor, and your right arm straight overhead. Exhale and return to your starting position. Begin with 10 reps, then release. Keep your belly button in tight and your torso still. Repeat with your left leg and left arm.

*This exercise is for intermediate exercisers without injury concerns.

Core and Legs Combo

Floor Core Hold

Strengthen your core with this one move. Here’s how: Lie on your back. Place both arms on the floor along side your body. Tuck your chin toward your chest. Lift both feet up off the floor, and then lift your upper body up off the floor. Support your torso by leaving your forearms on the floor. Find your balance point and hold for 3 deep breaths, and then release. Do 5 reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Core Strengthener

Side Plank for a Strong Core

Begin lying on your right side on the floor. Place your right hand directly below your right shoulder. Keeping your body and legs straight lift your body up off the floor. Hold for a count of 10-15, and then release. Repeat lying on your left side. Lift and hold for 10-15 seconds, then release. For more of a challenge, hold your top arm straight up, perpendicular to the floor, with your palm forward.

Side Plank for a Strong Core

Fit Body:

Creative Abs

Get creative with your ab exercises. Your abs and core work during all of your daily activities. Sometimes your core works to bend and twist. Other times, your core works to stabilize against movement by preventing bending and twisting of your torso. Your core is a multi-layered, multi-functional group of muscles.  Here’s how to get creative with your abs: Begin by choosing your base-move, for example a crunch or a plank. Once basic form is mastered, add a moving challenge. A moving challenging is moving an arm or leg in any pattern (forward/backward, side/center, up/down, in/out) to challenge core stability. Adding a creative touch into your ab workout will keep motivation high and results coming.

Creative Abs

V Sit Abdominal Exercise

Strengthen your abs and core with this crunch-less ab exercise. Begin sitting on the floor, with both legs out straight in front of you. Bend both knees, lean back slightly and place both hands on the floor for support. Pull your belly button in and keep your torso in proper alignment. In one motion, lift both feet up off the floor. Hold for a count of 20 seconds, and then release. Begin with 5 reps.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Crunch-less Abs