14 Unique Core Exercises That Go Way Beyond Classic Sit-Ups & Planks (2023)

FAQs

What exercise works all of your core? ›

Crunches are a classic core-strengthening move. The act of lifting your upper body works your abdominal muscles. If you have occasional low back pain, do crunches with care — move slowly and start with just a few reps.

AB EXERCISE STUDIES

One exercise ranked highest for both upper and lower rectus abs (and second highest for obliques): incline curl-up. Second best for upper and lower abs was the stability ball crunch, but the vertical leg raise (both hanging and captain's chair) virtually tied it for lower ab activation.

Second, plank exercises recruit a better balance of muscles on the front, sides, and back of the body during exercise than do sit-ups, which target just a few muscles.

Add Exercise to Your Routine

At-home treatment options are ideal for minor sagging. One such option is exercising. Any workouts that build muscle mass or tighten muscles — especially around the stomach — can reduce the appearance of loose skin.

When we're talking specifically about strengthening and building your ab muscles — not necessarily seeing them – "it can take anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on what exercises you're doing and your eating habits," said fitness coach Nick Leyden, MS, CSCS. (More on those aspects later.)

Can a 60 year old get stronger? ›

Repeated research has shown that, through weight training, men and women in their 60s and beyond can grow muscles as big and strong as an average 40-year-old.

“But seniors may find traditional abdominal exercises difficult, especially if they have lower back problems. The most effective ab exercise for seniors is the plank.” How to: Facing down toward the floor, place your elbows and knees on the ground while keeping the rest of your body elevated.

“Research shows that, even into your late 80s, your body still has the potential to build muscle mass,” Stacy Schroder, director of wellness at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, said.

Seniors Can Still Bulk Up On Muscle By Pressing Iron Our muscle mass decreases at surprising rates as we get older. But researchers found that people older than 50 can not only maintain but actually increase their muscle mass by lifting weights.

Adults aged 65 and older need: At least 150 minutes a week (for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking. Or they need 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity such as hiking, jogging, or running. At least 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles.

Diet, Nutrition, and Exercise

Diet can be a very effective way for seniors to lose belly fat. You might not ever get to have six-pack abs, but you can significantly reduce your weight and improve your health with a good diet and nutrition plan.

According to the study, the bicycle crunch was the most effective exercise when analysing the muscle activity in the abdominals. To complete a bicycle crunch, lie on your back with your lower back pressed into the ground, bring your knees in towards your chest and lift your shoulder blades off the ground.

The plank is the best overall core workout you can get, and it can stimulate up to 130 percent more ab action than a crunch. The plank will target the whole set of your obliques, the rectus abdominis, and strengthen the lower back. Plus, you can do it anywhere.

What can replace sit-ups? ›

The Pallof press is a core exercise that works all the ab muscles, as well as your glutes and back. It may be more effective than a plank because it creates less strain on the wrists and lower back.

Like situps, crunches help you build muscle. But unlike situps, they work only the abdominal muscles. This intense muscle isolation makes them a popular exercise for people trying to get six-pack abs. This also makes them ideal for strengthening your core, which includes your lower back muscles and obliques.

Lie facedown on the floor, but instead of placing your hands beneath your shoulders as you would for a pushup, slide them forward until your thumbs are in line with the top of your forehead. Now try to push yourself up. If your back can stay perfectly straight, your core is solid.

“Dancing, swimming, cycling, running, brisk walking, skipping rope, stair climbing, hula hoops, yoga and planks can all help you build your core muscles,” says Reddy. Ojha recommends at-home abs workout for the same.

Here are four simple things you might notice when your core is activated during a workout: You're able to perform straight-leg raises or a straight leg hold without arching your back. Every part of your spine should be touching the floor.

To lose stomach overhang you have to burn fat cells in both the fat you can see directly under the skin and also the more dangerous fat that you can't see that surrounds your organs. Cardio such as swimming, aerobics, running or dancing will burn this excess fat store.

Panniculectomy is a surgery done to remove stretched out, excess fat and overhanging skin from your abdomen. This can occur after a person undergoes massive weight loss. The skin may hang down and cover your thighs and genitals. Surgery to remove this skin helps improve your health and appearance.

When you do sit-ups every day, your back and hip muscles become more flexible. A flexible back and hips improve circulation, as well as reduce stress. You also build a strong core and keep your hips, spine, and shoulders aligned by performing sit-ups properly.

How can I strengthen my core in 7 days? ›

Doing just a little core work each time you workout is totally fine. "If you're going to the gym two to three times per week, I suggest doing 5 to 10 minutes of ab or core work during your workout. Then, give yourself a day of rest in between workout days," he says.

If you have weak core muscles, you may even find that your stomach sticks out further than your chest. This core strength sign is an indication of loss of core tone and a weak core. This core strength sign can be caused by core muscle weakness, pregnancy, or an increase in body fat around your core.

As a general guideline, Doug Sklar, a certified personal trainer and founder of PhilanthroFIT in New York City, recommends striving to do three sets of up to 60 seconds. “It's OK to start with shorter sets and work up to 60 seconds,” he says. Plus, shorter planks can still give you a solid workout, Sklar says.

Most experts suggest anywhere from 10 up to 30 seconds is plenty. “Focus on doing multiple sets of smaller amounts of time,” says L'Italien. As you progress, you can extend your plank for up to one or even two minutes, but don't go beyond that.

1. Bicycle crunches: Lie flat on the floor and press your lower back to the ground. Interlace your fingers, and put your hands behind your head. Bring your knees in toward your chest and lift your shoulder blades off the ground.

Jogging : Both walking and jogging are the most effective belly fat burning exercises. If your muscle strength and endurance permit, you should consider jogging along with or instead of walking. Relatively shorter, slower jogs burn more calories than walking and have a significant impact on your health and weight.

Simply put: Any exercise can be a "core" exercise if done right. Yes, that means you can get stronger abs by engaging your core during your squats, deadlifts, lunges, or overhead presses (just to name a few).

Doing just a little core work each time you workout is totally fine. "If you're going to the gym two to three times per week, I suggest doing 5 to 10 minutes of ab or core work during your workout. Then, give yourself a day of rest in between workout days," he says.

What happens if you train your core everyday? ›

Working abs every day can lead to muscle imbalances

If you do standard crunches 7 days a week for 300 reps, your rectus abdominus muscle (the six-pack muscle) is likely to get trained much more intensely than the other abs muscles.

Suck in your stomach.

Not only will this move instantly make your stomach look flatter, but you will also be giving your abs a workout. Your deep core muscles are activated by sucking in your stomach and the longer you suck in, the more toned your core will be.

Pushing your spine against the floor can cause lower back pain later on. Additionally, planks don't just work your core: They work your entire body. Planks require your arms, your legs, and all of your abs, making them an all-encompassing workout and a more efficient way to exercise.

If you want to build balanced strength, working your core is key—but it doesn't have to take forever. In fact, a 10-minute core workout can be a great way to challenge those muscles and reap the strength-building benefits.