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Now, why does core strength even matter?
Katie Thompson
The stronger your core, the more power can be shared, and the better you could perform movements.
Say, for example, you do apush-up.
As a result, your lower body will be in ideal positioningi.e.
strong and elevated, instead of sagging towards the floor.
That means less energy leak and a more efficient exercise.
Another important job your core has is providing a stable foundation for movements.
Jamison gives the analogy of squatting on sand versus squatting on concrete.
Okay, so how do you go about engaging and ultimately strengthening these core muscles?
There are two main ways: through movement, or dynamic exercises, and anti-movement.
In dynamic exercises, your core engages as it moves, like in a crunch.
With anti-movement exercises, your core engages to resists motion, like in a plank.
you’re able to think of anti-movement exercises as your baseline core moves, says Jamison.
With that in mind, Jamison created the following 12-minute core strength workout for beginners.
Feeling ready to seriously fire up your core?
Keep scrolling for everything you should probably know about a safe and effective core strength workout for beginners.
The Workout
What you need:An exercisematfor comfort.
It really targets your obliques (muscles on the sides of your torso).
Your glutes, latissimus dorsi, and deltoids are going to feel it too.
Make it easier by planking from your knees.
Or simply hold a side plank with no hip dip.
Leg Lift
This exercise especially targets the transverse abdominis and rectus abdominis.
Russian Twist
The move especially targets your obliques.
Make it harder by continuing the movement with your heels off the ground.
