Workouts are not always about leg day and arm day; you should add some time in for core exercises too. While most think of crunches when exercising the core, there are so many other great options, like standing core exercises, that can strengthen your midsection and improve your fitness level. Targeting your whole body and enhancing your posture and balance, try adding these workouts to your daily plan today.
Why Move Away from Crunches?
Crunches have been the go-to when it comes to working out core muscles, and while they do work out some muscles, they do have some drawbacks. Crunches often target a small area of your abdominal muscles, and don’t touch the deeper core muscles needed for spinal stability and support. Instead of just doing crunches, add in exercises that use the transverse abdominals and pelvic floor instead.
Top 5 Standing Core Exercises
Here are five standing core exercises to try out, and which muscles they target in your body:
- Kettlebell Swings: Each swing up and down with the kettlebell trains your core to stabilize during movement. It targets the posterior chain, including your glutes and hamstrings.
- Thrusters: This exercise combines a squat and overhead press, all while keeping your core engaged. Thrusters help work out major muscle groups and improve cardiovascular endurance.
- Woodchops: This rotational movement can help your body in everyday life, doing twisting motions with functional core strength. The exercise really targets the obliques.
- Running Intervals: Looking for high-intensity and a boost in metabolism? Try running intervals, which help burn belly fat and activate several muscle groups, including the core.
- Standing Oblique Crunches: If you just want to target the oblique muscles, add this exercise to your daily routine for productive results.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Core Strength
Working out isn’t the only way to promote and support core muscles. Experts recommend adding some daily habits to keep your core strong in or outside of the gym. Here are a few examples:
- Lift with Care: Always make sure to have the proper posture when lifting items to avoid injury and engage the core.
- Stay Active: While working out keeps you fit, being mindful of standing tall and sitting straight up can help maintain your core strength all day long.
- Mind Your Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet of protein, carbs, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables can properly fuel and support your body, while aiding in fat loss.
Final Thoughts
Core exercises, including standing core exercises, are extremely beneficial to the body. Not only do they help build muscles and burn calories, but increase your functional fitness overall. By adding just a few of these moves into your workout routine, you can get a more defined midsection that keeps you standing tall and feeling good. So what have you got to lose? Try one of these standing core exercises today.