A strong core is crucial for a whole bunch of reasons.
One reason for the body-wide benefits?
Your core actually is more comprehensive than you may think.
Katie Thompson
Together, these muscles create something you’re free to think of like a cylinder, she says.
Thats why its important to strengthen all parts of it, rather than honing in on only one area.
you could actually build strength in your core in two ways: through movement and anti-movement.
In fact, exercises where you resist motion are actually the foundation of good core strength, says Fagan.
There are just four dumbbell exercises here: Youll start with a single-arm overhead press and a single-arm row.
That means they really isolate your oblique muscles.
Added bonus: Youll get all this done with just one single dumbbell.
Fagan suggests moves likeT-spine rotationandpull-apartswith a light resistance band.
Then choose your dumbbell and get ready to work toward a stronger core.
The Workout
What you need:One medium-weight dumbbell.
Fagan suggests between 10 to 15 pounds, but you could adjust as needed based on your fitness level.
As you press your arm overhead, your torso naturally wants to lean to the side.
Youll also work your shoulders and triceps in this classic upper-body exercise too.
Single-Arm Row
This is another single-arm exercise that focuses on resisting movement in the core.
Same idea, says Fagan, but now were actually working on anti-rotation.
Basically, as you perform the rows, your body wants to rotate down toward the floor.
Its more dynamic in nature, says Fagan, adding that the rotation aspect especially fires up your obliques.
Beyond that, the wood chopalso works your arms, shoulders, and legs.
Its kind of a total-body movement, says Fagan.
Russian Twist
This dynamic core move also involves rotation and fires up your obliques.
If youre new to the Russian twist, start with thebodyweight versionand master that before adding a dumbbell.
