Core training is one of the most important factors in building a strong, healthy body. Get started with this quick and easy core workout that works for your entire core muscle group.
What is a core?
The core is the foundation of your body. It’s made up of all the muscles in your torso, from your shoulders to your hips. Everything you do – whether you’re lifting weights, playing a sport, or just going about your day-to-day activities – starts with your core.
Different kinds of exercises work different parts of the core. For example, sit-ups target the rectus abdominis, which is the large muscle that runs down the front of your stomach. Crunches target the obliques, which are the muscles on the sides of your stomach.
What are the benefits of having a strong core?
A strong core has many benefits, including:
Improved posture – When your core muscles are strong, they help support your spine and keep you upright. This can help reduce back pain and improve your posture.
Reduced risk of injury – A strong core stabilizes your entire body. This can help prevent injuries during physical activity.
Improved balance and stability – Your core muscles control your balance. When they’re strong, you’re less likely to fall or lose your balance.
Improved coordination – A strong core helps you coordinate your movements. This can make everyday activities, such as carrying groceries or playing with your kids, easier to do.
Stronger abs – Strong abdominal muscles are often associated with a six-pack. But having strong abs is about more than just looking good. Strong abs help protect your spine and improve your posture.
What muscles make up the core?
The core includes all of the muscles in your torso, including the:
Rectus abdominis – This is the large muscle that runs down the front of your stomach.
External obliques – These are the muscles on the sides of your stomach.
Internal obliques – These are the muscles on the sides of your stomach, underneath the external obliques.
Transverse abdominis – This is the deepest muscle in your abdominal wall.
Pelvic floor muscles – These are the muscles that support your pelvic organs.
How do I get started?
This core workout is a great place to start. It includes exercises that target all of the muscles in your core. Do this workout 2-3 times per week to see results.
The best way to achieve a strong, healthy core is by doing a variety of different exercises that target all of the muscles in your core. This workout includes a mix of exercises that target the different muscles in your core. Do this workout 2-3 times per week to see results.
Disadvantages of a weak core
A weak core can lead to:
Back pain – Weak core muscles can cause or worsen back pain. The muscles in your core help support your spine. When they’re weak, your spine isn’t as well-supported and can be more susceptible to pain.
Poor posture – Poor posture is often a result of weak core muscles. When your core muscles are weak, they can’t support your spine the way they should. This can cause you to slouch or hunch over.
Injuries – A weak core can make you more likely to injure yourself during physical activity. That’s because a strong core helps stabilize your body. When it’s weak, you’re more likely to lose your balance or fall.
Downsides of doing a Gym Core Workout
There are a few downsides to doing a core workout at the gym. These include:
It can be expensive – Gyms can be expensive, and many of them charge extra for access to their core workout area.
It can be time-consuming – It can take a while to get to the core workout area of the gym, and then you have to wait for equipment to become available.
You may not be able to do it at home – Not everyone has the equipment or space necessary to do a core workout at home.
Tips for beginners
If you’re new to core training, start with these tips:
Start slow – Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with a few basic exercises and add more as you get stronger.
Focus on form – Make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly. This will help prevent injuries and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your workout.
Use proper equipment – Make sure you have the right equipment for your core workout. This includes a good pair of sneakers, a mat for floor exercises, and weights if you’re using strength-training exercises.
What to eat before a gym core workout
If you’re going to do a core workout, it’s important to eat something beforehand. This will give you energy for your workout and help you perform better.
Try to eat something that’s high in protein and carbohydrates. A good example is a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread. Avoid eating anything too greasy or sugary, as this can make you feel sluggish.
Bread – A good source of carbohydrates.
Protein – Lean protein sources, such as chicken or fish, are a good choice before a workout.
Fruit – A small piece of fruit is a good way to get some vitamins and minerals before your workout.
Sports drink – If you’re doing an intense core workout, a sports drink can help you stay hydrated.
Water – Always make sure you have plenty of water before and after a workout.
See also The Ultimate Guide for Best Full Body Workout: 20 Best Full-Body Workout Exercises
What to eat after a gym core workout
After your workout, it’s important to replenish your energy stores. This will help your muscles recover and prevent fatigue.
A good post-workout meal should include both protein and carbohydrates. A simple way to get both is with a bowl of cereal and milk.
Cereal – A good source of carbohydrates.
Milk – Milk is a good source of protein and calcium.
Fruit – A small piece of fruit is a good way to get some vitamins and minerals after your workout.
Yogurt – Yogurt is a good source of protein and calcium. It also contains probiotics, which can help promote muscle recovery.
Protein shake – A protein shake is a good way to get both protein and carbohydrates after a workout.
10 Gym Core Workouts for beginners
Here are some examples of core-strengthening exercises:
Crunches – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your belly or behind your head. Use your abs to curl your torso up towards your knees. Pause, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
Sit-ups – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your belly. Use your abs to curl your torso up towards your knees. Pause, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
Planks – Start in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart. Lower yourself down so that your elbows and forearms are on the floor and your body forms a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds.
Side planks – Lie on your side with your feet stacked and one hand placed on the floor in front of you. Use your other hand to prop yourself up so that your body forms a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds.
Russian twists – Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet together. Lean back a few inches, then twist your torso to the right, touching your elbow to the floor beside your hip. Keep your abs engaged as you twist back to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
Bicycle crunches – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet off the floor. Place your hands on your belly. Use your abs to bring your right knee up towards your chest while you straighten out your left leg. At the same time, twist your torso and bring your right elbow towards your left knee. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
Hanging leg raises – Hang from a pull-up bar with your hands shoulder-width apart. Keep your legs straight and slowly raise them up towards your chest. Pause, then slowly lower them back to the starting position.
Back extensions – Lie facedown on the floor with your legs straight and your palms flat on the floor beside your head. Use your back muscles to raise your torso and legs up off the floor. Pause, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
Pelvic thrusts – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your hips. Use your abs and glutes to lift your hips off the floor and towards the ceiling. Pause, then slowly lower your hips back to the starting position.
15 Gym Core Workouts for men
Here are some examples of core-strengthening exercises for men:
- Ab Wheel Rollout – Grab yourself an ab wheel and kneel on the floor. Keep the wheel dead-center beneath your shoulders, tighten your abs, and roll forward until you lose tension at your core. Now roll back into the starting position. Continue this process until you feel like you can’t perform the exercise without breaking form. You’ll feel the burn from this one right away, and that’s a good thing.
- Barbell Rollout – Start by loading a barbell with 10-pound plates and setting it on the floor. Get into a pushup position with your hands on the bar, shoulder-width apart. Keeping your abs braced, roll the bar forward until your arms are extended in front of you. Pause, then reverse the motion and roll the bar back to the starting position.
- Hanging Leg Raise – Hang from a pullup bar with your legs straight and together. Slowly raise your legs up until they’re parallel to the floor, then slowly lower them back to the starting position.
- Weighted Sit-up – Lie on your back on the floor and place a weight plate on your chest. Sit up, bringing the weight to your knees, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
- Pallof Press – Attach a band to a low pulley and stand facing away from the machine. Step out so that there’s tension on the band, then hold the band with both hands in front of your chest. Brace your abs and press the band straight out in front of you, then return to the starting position.
- Cable Crunch – Attach a rope attachment to a low pulley and kneel in front of the machine. Grasp the rope with both hands and place your elbows on the floor. Use your abs to curl your torso down towards your hips, then return to the starting position.
- Reverse Crunch – Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet together. Place your hands on the floor beside you. Use your abs to curl your hips off the floor and towards your chest, then slowly lower them back to the starting position.
- Side Plank – Lie on your side on the floor with your feet stacked and one hand placed on the floor in front of you. Use your other hand to prop yourself up so that your body forms a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds, then switch sides and repeat.
- Russian Twists – Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet together. Lean back a few inches, then twist your torso to the right, touching your elbow to the floor beside your hip. Keep your abs engaged as you twist back to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- Bicycle Crunches – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet off the floor. Place your hands on your belly. Use your abs to bring your right knee up towards your chest while you straighten out your left leg. At the same time, twist your torso and bring your right elbow towards your left knee. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- Flutter Kicks – Lie on your back on the floor with your legs extended and arms at your sides. Raise your feet about six inches off the floor and quickly lower them, then raise them again. Continue for one minute.
- Sit-Ups – Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and use your abs to sit up, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
- Crunches – Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and use your abs to curl up towards your chest, then lower yourself back to the starting position.
- Leg Lifts – Lie on your back on the floor with your legs extended and arms at your sides. Use your abs to raise your legs straight up towards the ceiling, then lower them back to the starting position.
- Plank – Get into a push-up position, but bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms instead of your hands. Keep your body in a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
Do these core exercises three times per week for the best results. Start with one set of each exercise and work up to two or three sets as you get stronger. Remember to breathe evenly as you exercise and focus on engaging your abs. If you feel pain, stop and consult a doctor before continuing.
Now that you know some core exercises for men, put them into practice and enjoy the results!
15 Gym Core Workouts for women
- Dead Bug
Lie on your back with your arms extended straight up. Lift your legs and bend your knees at 90°. Activate your core, draw your belly button towards your spine and push your lower back into the floor. Exhale as you slowly lower your right arm towards the floor behind your head and extend your left leg at the same time until both are just above the floor. Keeping your back in contact with the floor, inhale and slowly return to the starting position. Repeat with the opposite arm and leg, alternating sides with each rep.
- Single-leg Glute Bridge
Lie flat on your back with feet flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart, legs bent to 90°. Place your right foot flat on the floor with your left leg raised and parallel to the floor. Drive through your heels to raise your hips off the ground until your thighs and torso are in line with each other – hold for two seconds. Reverse the motion, lowering your hips back to the starting position. That’s one rep. Complete all reps before switching legs.
- Swiss Ball Plank
Place your forearms on a Swiss ball and extend your legs behind you so your body forms a straight line from head to heels. Keep your core engaged, glutes and quadriceps engaged, and hold for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Pilates Scissor
Lie on your back with both legs in the air and your head and shoulders off the floor. Hold your right ankle as you lower your left leg towards the floor. Keep your abs pulled in so that you move slowly and with control. Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite leg.
- Reverse Crunch
Lie on your back on the floor and place your hands on the floor beside you. Bring your knees in towards your chest with your feet together. Use your abs to curl your hips off the floor and towards your chest, then slowly lower them back to the starting position.
- Russian Twist
Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet together, lean back a few inches and twist your torso to the right, touching your elbow to the floor beside you. Keep your abs engaged as you twist back to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- Seated Russian Twist
Sit on the floor with your knees bent, pull your abs to your spine, and lean back a few inches while keeping your back straight. Hold your hand at your chest, then twist your torso to the right and touch the back of your left hand to the floor behind you. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- Pilates Scissor
Lie on your back with both legs in the air and your head and shoulders off the floor. Hold your right ankle as you lower your left leg towards the floor. Keep your abs pulled in so that you move slowly and with control. Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite leg.
- Side Plank
Lie on your side with your legs straight and propped up on your forearm. Place your elbow directly under your shoulder and raise your hips off the floor, maintaining a straight line from head to heels. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds before lowering back to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.
- Bird Dog
Get on all fours, with your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees hip-width apart. Keep your core engaged as you simultaneously lift your left arm and right leg off the floor, and hold for two seconds. Return to starting position and repeat with the opposite arm and leg.
- Crunch
Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and curl your chin towards your chest as you lift your shoulders off the floor. Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower back to the starting position.
- Reverse Crunch
Lie on your back on the floor and place your hands on the floor beside you. Bring your knees in towards your chest with your feet together. Use your abs to curl your hips off the floor and towards your chest, then slowly lower them back to the starting position.
- Swiss Ball Hamstring Curl
Position a Swiss ball at your feet before lying down on your back with your palms flat on the floor. Place your heels on top of the ball, then press your hips and glutes off the floor. Dig your heels into the ball as you curl it towards your glutes. Reverse the motion, press the Swiss ball away from your glutes to the start position, and repeat.
- Swiss Ball Pike
Start in a push-up position with your shins on a Swiss ball. Slowly roll the ball towards your hands as you press your hips and glute off the floor, bringing your body into an inverted V position. Reverse the motion and repeat.
- Pilates Reverse Curl
Lie on your back on the floor with both legs in the air and your head and shoulders off the floor. Hold your right ankle as you lower your left leg towards the floor. Keep your abs pulled in so that you move slowly and with control. Return to the starting position and repeat with the opposite leg.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gym Core Workout
Q: What are some good exercises for a gym core workout?
A: Russian Twist, Seated Russian Twist, Pilates Scissor, Side Plank, Bird Dog, Crunch, Reverse Crunch, Swiss Ball Hamstring Curl, Swiss Ball Pike, Pilates Reverse Curl.
Q: What is the best way to perform a gym core workout?
A: The best way to perform a gym core workout is to do each exercise slowly and with control. Engage your abs throughout the entire movement to get the most out of each exercise.
Q: What are the best exercises for a strong core?
A: Some of the best exercises for a strong core include Pilates Scissor, Russian Twist, Reverse Crunch, and Bird Dog.
Q: How often should I do a gym core workout?
A: You should aim to do a gym core workout at least two or three times per week.
Q: What are some common mistakes people make when doing a gym core workout?
A: Some common mistakes people make when doing a gym core workout include not engaging their abs, not using proper form, and not breathing properly.
Q: What are some tips for getting the most out of a gym core workout?
A: Some tips for getting the most out of a gym core workout include doing each exercise slowly and with control, using proper form, and focusing on your breath.
Summary and conclusion
A gym core workout is a great way to strengthen your core muscles. There are a variety of exercises you can do to target different muscle groups in your core. It’s important to use proper form and technique when performing each exercise to get the most out of your workout and avoid injury. Aim to do a gym core workout two or three times per week for the best results.
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