Your core muscles are the central link connecting your upper and lower body. The majority of your motions either originate in your core, or move through it
No matter where motion starts, it moves through the core to adjoining joints. Weak or inflexible core muscles can impair the functioning of your arms and legs. A strong core also enhances balance and stability. It can help prevent falls and injuries and a strong, flexible core affects almost everything you do
Weak, tight, or unbalanced core muscles can affect you with almost every movement you make. Over training abdominal muscles whilst avoiding muscles of the back and hips can hinder you with injuries and cut athletic prowess. If six pack abs are your goal, then it’s essential to rid body fat through diet and aerobic exercise. Then build strong abdominal muscles by adding weight and increasing reps and sets of your workout
In this workout, you will be combining stretches and core exercises to improve your posture, range of motion, strength and flexibility! Complete each exercise one after the other for the recommended number of reps
Perform three sets before moving onto the next. You won’t need any equipment for these. Try this routine up to five days a week for a stronger, more flexible body
X shape Swimming
Targets: Back – Glutes – Shoulders
How To Do It
Lie face down with your arms and legs opened into an X shape on the floor
Lift your chest, thighs and arms off floor. Your eyes should be gazing down and your neck in line with your spine
Lift your left arm and right leg slightly higher, then quickly switch sides
That’s one rep
Do 20 reps as quickly as possible, trying to keep your torso steady as your arms and legs flutter
Bow pose
Open up the whole front of your body, those muscles can get tight
How To Do It
Lie face down with your knees bent and slightly wider than hip-width apart
Reach your arms back to grab your ankles
Lift your thighs and chest off the floor as high as possible
Try to bring your head in line with your heels
Hold for up to 30 seconds
Balancing Side Plank
Strengthen your obliques whilst also working your inner thighs and shoulders with this plank variation
How To Do It
Begin in a modified side plank with your left hand extended under your shoulder, your left knee bent on the floor, your right leg extended straight and the bottom of your foot pressed flat to the floor
Your hips should be stacked
Draw your abs in tight toward your spine and lift your left leg off the floor, bringing your left foot to the inside of your right knee, crossing your left knee slightly over the mid-line of your body
Hold for 10 seconds and repeat on the other side
You may also like: Variation Of 6 Side Planks For A Strong Defined Core
Seated Hurdler
Open up the hamstrings and hips with this relaxing stretch that can be done immediately after the balancing side plank pose
How To Do It
Sit with your left leg extended and your right knee bent and open to the side with the bottom of your right foot pressed against your left thigh
Bend forward from your hips and reach toward your left foot, grabbing hold of your toes or shins
Hold for 30 seconds, and then repeat on the other side
Seated Hover
This is definitely a challenge for your core
How To Do It
Begin by sitting cross-legged (or if you’re able, in lotus pose) with your hands just outside your hips and pressed into floor
Tilt your pelvis up, and round your back
Scoop your abs in deep toward your spine while pushing down into the floor with your arms to lift your hips off the ground
Hover and hold for up to 30 seconds
For the next set, cross the opposite leg in front
If your hips don’t come off the floor yet, work on the tilt and scoop
Hip opener
Relax your back and hips with this restful stretch
How To Do It
Simply lower your hips to floor from the hover position and fold your body over your legs
Reach your arms out in front of your body, on the ground to stretch your hips
Hold for up to 30 seconds
Kneeling Hinge
Engage your thighs and abs with this move
How To Do It
Begin kneeling with your legs about hip-width apart, your toes pointed behind you, and your arms extended out in front of your chest, palms facing down
Brace your abs and maintain a straight line from your knees to your head
Hinge back as far as possible
Return to starting position
Do 10 reps
Camel Pose
Stretch your Chest – Thighs – Hips – Back
How To Do It
From the starting position of the kneeling hinge, press your hips forward, arch your back and reach your hands back toward your heels
To make this move easier, tuck your toes under to bring your heels closer to your hands
Hold for up to 30 seconds
Opposite Arm And Leg Reach
How To Do It
Start on all fours, brace your abs, extend your right arm by your right ear and extend your left leg out behind your hip
Your leg and arm should make a straight line through your torso
Hold for one to five seconds
Trying not to shift through your body, lower your arm and leg and switch sides
Imagine trying to balance a cup of tea on your lower back during the entire exercise
Do 20 alternating reps
Balancing Quad Stretch
Continue to work your core muscles and stretch your Quadriceps – Hip flexors – Chest
How To Do It
From all fours, extend your opposite arm and leg
Bend your knee and try to grab hold of your foot with your opposite hand
Pull your foot in toward your body and lift your leg as high as possible
Hold for up to 30 seconds
Repeat on the opposite side
Knee Pull Plank
Target your abs while engaging your entire body with this plank variation
How To Do It
Start in a full plank, with your feet together and your arms extended straight underneath your shoulders
Bend your right knee in toward your chest, scooping your abs in toward your spine and allowing your back to round slightly
Pulse your knee closer into your chest 10 times, drawing your abs in tighter as your knee pulls in
Repeat on the opposite side
Pigeon Pose
Open up tight hips and inner thighs with this final stretch
How To Do It
Transition from your last set of knee pull planks by lowering your lifted leg to floor, turning your knee out to the side and bringing your heel forward
Slide your back leg down into the floor, pointing the foot behind you with the top of your foot resting on the floor
Lower your upper body to the floor, bend your elbows and rest your head on your hands
Keep your upper body lifted with your hands on the floor for less intensity
Hold for up to 30 seconds
Repeat on the opposite side
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