We love our core strength workouts. We recommend working your core at least 5x a week - yup, 5x a week. That doesn't mean busting out 100 crunches and calling it a day. Instead, we want our clients (and everyone) to do concentrated, effective core exercises. A strong core helps increase your running efficiency, lowers the risk of back and pelvis injuries and increases your stability.
Here are our other favorites:
- Plank: Begin on elbows and toes (make sure elbows are directly underneath your shoulders). Hold for 15-20 seconds and work up to 45 seconds.
- Side Plank: Begin by laying on your side. Push your hips up so you are on the outside of your right foot and right elbow is underneath your right shoulder. Hold for 15-20 seconds, switch sides; work up to 30 seconds. Repeat 2x.
- Knee to Elbows Reverse Crunch: Begin on hands and knees. Bring opposite knee and elbow in towards your center, crunching in your abs and hold for 3 seconds, straighten leg and elbow out away from center and then bring back in again and hold for 3 seconds. Do 10 reps on each side, 2x.
- Superman: Raise arms and legs off the ground (keeping neck in line with your spine and relaxed) and hold for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Women's Health has some great exercises that you can do standing up. Check em out and remember, perform core exercises 5 times a week!