When most people think "abs," they think the muffin top that blooms over the top of too-tight pants. But abdominals, a set collectively known as the core, includes the many interconnected muscles that run up the back and stretch down to the butt and the front and inner thighs, says Michele Olson, PhD, professor of physical education and exercise science at Auburn University–Montgomery, Alabama.
Here are 9 moves, from simple to killer, that will keep your daily core workouts interesting!
This abs exercise is more challenging than a traditional plank because you're supporting your entire body weight on two points of contact instead of four. As a result, you must work your core harder to stay stabilized.
This abs exercise involves full-body movement, such as using the arms and legs, while incorporating resistance to strengthen your entire core.
This abs exercise uses your entire core to keep your body stabilized and burns additional calories by adding movement (dragging yourself along the floor). It mixes cardio, stability, and strength training to get you fast results.
(A) Raise both legs toward the ceiling. Breathe in and tighten your abs. (B) Exhale and slowly lower your legs until they’re about four inches above the floor (or as low as you can go without lifting the small of your back). Pause and breathe in. Breathe out as you raise your legs to the starting position.
Although this is a multi-tasking move that works you whole body, Lovitt says its main target is your lower abs—it engages your abdominals and oblique muscles (for stability) while also working your hips and low back.
This move really targets those tricky muscles in your lower belly, plus it works your rectus abdominus (as in, your six-pack muscles), hips, and low back, says Lovitt.
Here are 9 moves, from simple to killer, that will keep your daily core workouts interesting!
1. Side plan
This abs exercise is more challenging than a traditional plank because you're supporting your entire body weight on two points of contact instead of four. As a result, you must work your core harder to stay stabilized.
2. Walkouts into pushups
This abs exercise involves full-body movement, such as using the arms and legs, while incorporating resistance to strengthen your entire core.
3. Alligator drag
This abs exercise uses your entire core to keep your body stabilized and burns additional calories by adding movement (dragging yourself along the floor). It mixes cardio, stability, and strength training to get you fast results.
4. Leg drop
(A) Raise both legs toward the ceiling. Breathe in and tighten your abs. (B) Exhale and slowly lower your legs until they’re about four inches above the floor (or as low as you can go without lifting the small of your back). Pause and breathe in. Breathe out as you raise your legs to the starting position.
5. Russian twist
6. Cross-Body Mountain Climbers
Although this is a multi-tasking move that works you whole body, Lovitt says its main target is your lower abs—it engages your abdominals and oblique muscles (for stability) while also working your hips and low back.
7. Swiss Ball Jackknife
This move really targets those tricky muscles in your lower belly, plus it works your rectus abdominus (as in, your six-pack muscles), hips, and low back, says Lovitt.
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