If you are reading this and have done one of our workouts or online programs, then you know that we are firm believers in CRUSHING THE CORE! Having a strong core can lead to being more efficient in almost everything fitness-related both in and outside the gym.
For instance, if you really want to get stronger on a barbell movement, having a stronger core will help you get there. If you want to run faster, having a stronger core will help you get there. If you want that beach bod for the summer, having a killer core just might help you get there 😎!
But how do you crush the core? Is it by doing 100 sit-ups a day? Is it by holding a forearm plank? While both of these approaches will certainly help get you there, they are not the only recipe for abs. Actually, on the contrary, these two approaches should be just supplements to a program that will really strengthen your core.
A truly, killer core program is one that gets you moving athletically! Think about it...how did your core feel when you played sports? Probably pretty freaking awesome. That's because it was being challenged to move in different directions, and under different amounts of stress.
So, how do we go about mimicking that level of core engagement in a workout? Obviously it is pretty tough to mimic it exactly, but here are a few exercises and ways that we recommend throwing into your workouts without just doing ab exercises!
Unilateral movements - Using movements such as split squats, single leg RDLs, single arm DB bench press, etc, will force your core to stay engaged while it continuously tries to balance throughout these exercises.
Front Loaded Exercises - Holding a kettlebell, dumbbell, or barbell in the front rack position will force your body to stay upright which will in-return, force your core to activate!
Sprinting - Sprinting is one of the best ways to get your entire body crazy fit fast!
Again, ab-focused exercises like sit-ups and crunches are awesome! But movements like the one's posted above will seriously crush the core more than you know. So start throwing those into your fitness routine to really strengthen your core, and then sprinkle in the ab-focused exercises to through in some isolation.
If you are looking for some quick core finishers to add to your workout routine, be sure to check out our CORE FINISHER VOL. 1 program.
Keep getting after it and keep EARNING THAT REST!
Neil Shaffer
Creator, FutbolerFit HQ
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