Core exercises
Planks, crunches and anti-rotation work for the abs and obliques. Each guide covers setup, form cues, the muscles it works and sets and reps by goal.
23 lifts
- Ab Wheel RolloutThe core exercise that teaches your abs to stop your back from archingAb wheel · Intermediate
- Bear CrawlA slow, low crawl that makes your core hold still while your arms and legs moveBodyweight · Beginner
- Bicycle CrunchThe twisting ab exercise that works your abs and obliques togetherBodyweight · Beginner
- Cable CrunchThe weighted ab exercise you can load like any other liftCable machine with high pulley · Beginner
- Cable WoodchopA standing cable chop that trains your core to turn with controlCable machine · Beginner
- CrunchThe simplest ab exercise, done right instead of fastBodyweight · Beginner
- Dead BugThe core drill that teaches you to brace while your arms and legs moveBodyweight · Beginner
- Dragon FlagThe bodyweight core move that holds your whole body straight off a benchFlat bench · Advanced
- Dumbbell Side BendA simple standing exercise that trains the sides of your coreDumbbell · Beginner
- Flutter KickSmall, fast kicks that test whether your abs can keep your lower back downBodyweight · Beginner
- Hanging Leg RaiseThe hanging core move that trains your abs to curl your hips, not just lift your legsPull-up bar · Intermediate
- Hollow Body HoldThe gymnastics core hold that teaches your whole trunk to stay tightBodyweight · Beginner
- L-Sit HoldA gymnastics hold that builds a strong core and locked out armsParallettes · Intermediate
- Leg RaiseA floor ab exercise that is all about the slow way downBodyweight · Beginner
- Mountain ClimberA plank that moves, for core work and quick conditioningBodyweight · Beginner
- Pallof PressThe core exercise that trains you to not twistCable machine or resistance band · Beginner
- PlankThe core hold that teaches your trunk to stay still under loadBodyweight · Beginner
- Reverse CrunchA crunch from the bottom up that curls your pelvis toward your ribsBodyweight · Beginner
- Russian TwistThe seated twist that trains your obliques, with or without a weightBodyweight · Beginner
- Side PlankThe core hold that keeps your trunk from bending sidewaysBodyweight · Beginner
- Sit-UpA full curl from the floor to sitting tall, done with controlBodyweight · Beginner
- Toes-to-BarThe hanging core skill that takes your feet all the way to the barPull-up bar · Intermediate
- V-UpThe bodyweight ab move that folds you into a V and back out againBodyweight · Intermediate