Core Workouts That Really Work

Mind is All

When you look at your stomach, do you wish it were tighter and firmer? Improving core strength won't just make you look better; it'll also help you stand up straighter and maintain your balance. Try these core exercises to improve your strength.

Spend some time with your old buddies: the sit ups and the crunches. These two oldies but goodies will make a difference. Make sure you ground your lower back, gently support your neck with your fingertips, and lift and lower slowly and steadily, without jerking, as you sit all the way up for sit ups and lift partway for crunches.

Pretend to ride your bicycle for a great ab and oblique workout. Stay lying on the ground, but bend your knees and lift them so your toes point towards the wall. Crunch your upper body and twist such that one elbow touches the opposing knee. Next release that side and lift the other elbow such that it comes to the opposing knee. Keep alternating sides until you have a motion that feels kind of like bicycling going on.

Work your stomach by lifting and lowering your legs. Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended. Tighten your core muscles and use them to slowly lift your legs into a letter L position, making sure to always keep your lower back pressed safely against the floor. Now lower them to the ground, slowly, feeling the tension in your abdomen as your core muscles fight to keep your legs from reaching the ground.

Work those abs by doing the plank exercise. Flip over onto your stomach. Lift your body as if you are doing a push up but hold the position, tensing your stomach muscles and keeping your body stiff as a board. Stay in that plank position for an extended hold, and then let yourself relax into the beginning position and take a short break before doing it again.

Exercise while you work by sitting on an exercise ball. Make sure you use your core muscles to stay balanced as you work on your computer.