Exercising your core is essential for having strong abdominal and back muscles. You need these muscles for everyday tasks, from lifting a child to carrying your groceries to maintaining good posture at your desk. While most people may think that dreaded crunches are the only way to exercise your abs, there are actually many different types of exercises that will give your core a good workout. Here are some quick and easy examples.
Sliding Pike
For this exercise, you will need a non-carpeted floor and a towel. Place the towel under your feet and move into a traditional plank position, with your hands and feet on the ground and your limbs extended.
Keeping your legs straight, raise your hips and pull your legs towards your hands until you are in the pike position, which means that your legs and arms and straight and your butt is pointed upwards. Hold this for one breath, then return to plank and repeat 10 times.
Side Balance Crunch
Begin with your left knee and left hand on the floor and your right arm extended straight up. Extend your right leg so your body forms a straight line from your head to your toe.
Pull your right knee towards your torso and your right elbow towards your knee before straightening and starting over. Repeat these movements 10 times before switching sides.
Oblique Reach
For this exercise, begin by sitting on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat. Straighten your right leg in front of you and bend your spine into a C-curve.
Place your left hand behind your head while extending your right arm toward your outstretched foot. Twist your body to the left, hold for a breath, and then return to the start. Repeat five times and then switch to the other side.
Knee Fold Tuck
Sit on the ground with your back straight and your knees bent while squeezing a rubber ball between them. Lift your knees so that your shins are almost parallel to the floor.
Extend your arms in front of you while pulling your knees towards your shoulders and keeping your upper body as still as possible. Bring your knees back to your starting position and then repeat this exercise for 15 to 20 repetitions.
Climbing Rope
Begin by sitting with your legs extended in front of you, with your feet turned out in a V position with your toes pointed. Tighten your ab muscles and roll your spine into a C-curve before lifting your arms and move them as if you were climbing up a rope, twisting slightly with each reach. Make sure you do at least 20 reaches with each arm before stopping.
Circle Plank
Begin by getting into the traditional plank position, with your hands and feet on the floor and your limbs extended. Tighten your abs and pull your right knee in before circling it clockwise and counterclockwise, while keeping the rest of your body completely still. Repeat this five times and then switch to the other leg.
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