[Video] 10-Minute Hard Core Workout

This 10-minute core workout will definitely get your core working hard - yes, you WILL be sore tomorrow!

A strong core is important for balance, posture, and injury prevention, and this workout will definitely help you to build your core muscles fast. 

From all of your ab muscles, including those waist-shaping obliques, to your glutes and lower back, this workout will challenge and strengthen your entire core, providing balance and stability to your whole body, improving your posture, and helping prevent injury during running, other workouts, or just your regular daily activities.

This is not an easy workout, so go slow, maintain proper form, and listen to your body! Be sure to keep your abs tight to protect your lower back, especially during any extension exercise. 

Do this one at least twice a week for ongoing core shaping and strengthening benefits.

6 Exercises for Strengthening Your Core

To get ready for swimsuit season, you are probably doing a lot of targeted exercises to get in shape. You are likely focusing on your abs and thighs the most, and doing what you can to drop a few extra pounds before you have to squeeze into that swimsuit. There is a huge factor that many people are missing out on as they are getting ready for summer, however, and to their own detriment. That factor is the importance of core strengthening.

What Exactly Is the Core?

Suspension exercise ‪for the core. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your core muscles are a group of muscles running down the center of your body. These include your abdominal muscles, back muscles, and your pelvis. All of these muscles contribute to your overall balance and strength.

How Does Core Strengthening Help?

Core strengthening helps on many levels. At its most basic, your core strength comes into play in everyday activities such as lifting your groceries and vacuuming your house. Your core is your center of balance and strength for almost everything you do, especially when it comes to working out and getting in shape. A strong core can help you be more successful with all your workouts, as it gives you the best canvas to work from.

How Can I Strengthen My Core?

Core strengthening exercises are the best way to get your core in shape. These exercises will not only improve your core strength, but they will also help you tone your abdominal muscles, back, butt, and thighs so you can make big strides toward your summer fitness goals. Even better, these exercises can all be done from home so there is no gym membership required.

6 Effective Core Exercises

1. Yoga and Pilates

Yoga and Pilates-type exercises are the most popular workout routines that are aimed toward building a strong and healthy core. You can find yoga and Pilates videos online, on DVD, or even learn poses from books and magazines. These are easy to do from home and most routines do not even require any sort of equipment. (Check out our Amazon store for some of our favorite yoga & Pilates workouts!)

2. Planking

Planks are an exercise that you might find difficult in the beginning, but as you core strengthens you will find it easier over time. Planking is great for the whole body, from your arms all the way down through your legs, and is actually touted as being a better exercise for your abs than crunches.

Start by getting into push-up position on the floor, but rest on your arms at 90-degree angles. Straighten your whole body out, through to your feet up on your toes. Use your core muscles to hold the position for as long as possible. Each day, hold a little longer.

Core workout on the ball. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Balance ball

Using a balance ball helps you to focus on your core muscles when doing certain exercises. You can use a balance ball to do push-ups, crunches, and more. Even simply sitting on a balance ball instead of a chair helps you strengthen your core muscles during the day.

4. V-sit

Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lean back to a 45 degree angle and hold your arms out straight beside you. Slowly lift your feet off the ground, using your core to keep yourself steady. Extend your legs out so that your body forms a “V”. Hold this position as long as possible, using your extended arms to help maintain your balance.

5. Tucks

Start in the same position as the v-sit, leaning back at the 45 degree angle and arms straight out beside you. Extend your legs out just like in the v-sit, but then bring them back to your body, not resting them on the floor. Repeat this motion ten times, rest, and then repeat.

6. Bicycles

Starting in crunch position with your hands behind your ears, reach your elbow to the opposite knee, extending the other leg out. Repeat the motion, alternating sides, and working your legs as if riding a bicycle. Continue the motion for an extended period of time, at least 30 seconds, before resting and then repeating.

Core strengthening is where great workouts and a great body start. If you are wanting to get toned and fit for summer, core exercises are what you want to focus on.

Try These Fun Core Workouts:

   

(Video) 5-Minute Core Workout for Runners

This short workout will give you a strong core, which is essential for runners to avoid injury. Strengthening your core muscles helps give you better stability, balance and power.

Contrary to what some people think, the "core" doesn't just mean your abs - it also includes your back, butt, hips, and groin muscles. This short workout will work all of these muscles and more, for a firm, strong core - which is good whether you're a runner or not.

It's only 5 minutes long, so you can do it anytime, anywhere, but it will really make you burn!



  
Like this? Check out this great workout for runners!

Video: Total Body Bootcamp 15-Minute Beginners Pilates Workout

This workout will help tone your abs, arms, legs, butt, and basically your whole body - with classic Pilates mat moves (no equipment required, although you may want to use a yoga mat).

She demonstrates both modified beginner versions, as well as the regular full version of each exercise, so this is a great workout for beginners, or Pilates enthusiasts who want a quick toning workout you can do just about anywhere. And Cassie's signature positive attitude makes this feel like fun even while you're working hard.

Grab a mat and let's get toned!

Total Body Toning for Beginners | Pilates Bootcamp With Cassey Ho
It's my first episode on LIVESTRONG Woman, and ...


More Fun Pilates Workouts to Try:

   

Video: 30-Minute Yogalates Workout

This is a fun, flowing, fairly fast-moving but not too challenging Yogalates workout combining yoga poses with Pilates and dynamic movement for an excellent full-body workout. The workout is designed to stretch and strengthen your entire body from head to toe. All you need is a yoga mat, and if you are not very flexible, you may want something to use as a block.

Grab your mat, and let's work out!

Yogalates Moon Flow Part 1 with Liz Brandt
Yogalates is a fusion of yoga and pilates combined into one powerful work out. For this work out I took a basic moon flow and added extra poses and movement ...


Check Out More Fun Workouts With the Benefits of Both Yoga & Pilates:
   

Kettlebell Training for Work-at-Home-Moms

If you are a work-at-home mom and you badly need to develop an exercise regimen that will allow you to burn calories in a short amount of time then the kettlebell is exactly what you're looking for. Doing KB exercises will speed up your metabolism, tone your body, relieve stress and increase your energy levels. If you are ready to get started, check out the kettlebell exercises below that will help you reshape your body in its best form ever! (Note: Like any workout, these exercises involve risk of injury. Be sure to consult with your physician or personal trainer before beginning any new workout routine, and if anything hurts, STOP.)

-The Swing

Kettlebell. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You can use this move to lose weight, build lean muscles and tone your body. To do the swing, strand straight with your legs shoulder width apart and lean forward while keeping your back straight. Don't arch your back as this may cause injury. Bend your knees mimicking a semi squat.

Your arms should hang loosely and then raise the kettlebell with both hands over your head and inhale. Now swing the weight in between the legs towards the back as you breathe out. Do 10 sets of 20 to 50 repetitions and pause for a minute between each set.  

- Deadlift

The deadlift is great for toning the back and butt. When doing this exercise, you have to keep your back straight and use your body's force to lift the weight, not your arms. Start with the standard standing position. The kettlebell should be on the floor centered between your legs.

Bend your knees and squat over the weight. Remember to keep your spine straight and abdominals tight. Reach down and grab the kettlebell with both hands. Lift it with your entire body and not just your arms.

The power of the lift should come from your abs and hips. Bend your elbows out open as you raise the weight to your mid chest. Slightly bend your knees as you lower the weight. Repeat this move for 25 times before putting the kettlebell back to the floor.

-Lunge Press

This is one of the easiest kettlebell exercises that a woman can easily do. To start, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and hold the sides of the kettlebell handle with both hands in front of your chest.

Your elbows should be bent by sides with your palms in. Now lunge forward using your left leg and press the weight up using both hands. Stand back up while you bring the kettlebell back down.

Repeat the exercise using the other leg. The lunge press targets the shoulders, back, arms, abs, legs and butt. Make sure you keep your back and shoulder blades straight when doing this move.

Review: Stronger Seniors Core Fitness Workout

Whether you're a senior, or just someone recovering from an injury and and you find some workout programs have too much impact on your joints or you have physical challenges that make traditional exercise programs difficult, the Stronger Seniors Core Fitness program is a great solution.

This is a DVD fitness program you can enjoy in the privacy of your own home. But what you’ll find is unique about it is that all of the exercises are performed while seated in a chair, so you won’t have to worry about any impact on your joints.

While there are several different Stronger Seniors workouts, this particular program is designed to help you improve the strength of your abdominals. In addition, you’ll find that you take pressure off of your lower back and you experience better posture and balance. You’ll also learn the best breathing techniques while you exercise.

It’s important as you age that you continue to exercise your body. Exercise has been shown to improve mobility and decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases. If you have a chronic disease, in some cases, exercise can help to alleviate symptoms and even reverse it.

But if you’re experiencing problems related to aging such as arthritis, heart disease, or osteoporosis you may have a hard time with exercises that require walking, jumping, or anything that puts pressure on your joints.

This workout program is free from impact but will help you to strengthen the muscles of your body that help you to stay balanced and pain free. With a stronger core you’ll find it easier to perform your daily tasks and possibly even enjoy exercises such as walking or riding a bike.

If pain or a lack of fitness has kept you from enjoying activities, this program can help you to get back the strength that you’ve lost. You’ll find that it improves the way you feel and helps you to be more independent.

This program uses principles from Pilates to create a core strengthening program perfect for seniors or people with disabilities. Core strength is critical, but many Pilates exercises call for a wide range of flexibility that many people just don’t have.

As you practice the exercises on this DVD you’ll see that they meet you where you are. You can do all the exercises from the comfort and stability of a chair. You won’t have to risk impact or injury as you work to get fit.

There’s also an emphasis on the connection between the mind and body that will help you to have even better success as you work toward fitness goals. With the Stronger Seniors Core Fitness Chair Exercise Program you’ll get stronger, develop better balance, and be able to manage stress better.

Click Here to Get Yours on Amazon.com, and give it a try today!

Video: 7-Minute Medicine Ball Core Workout

Medicine balls are a very versatile piece of exercise equipment, and they are particularly helpful for building core strength.

This short video shows you 7 quick exercises you can do to tighten and strengthen your core muscles using no equipment other than a medicine ball. One cool thing about using a medicine ball is it is a strength-training tool, so even when you're focusing on the core, you're also building strength in your back, glutes, arms, thighs, and throughout your body.

She only does 10 reps of each of these, so it's nice as a beginner workout, but feel free to add more reps as you progress, or repeat the sets again as she instructs in the video.

Check it out, and have fun getting a strong core and flatter abs for summer beach season!

MEDICINE BALL WORKOUT: 7 Exercises to FLATTEN and STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE | Autumn Fitness
Mountain Climbers, Push Ups, Squats, Sit Ups—Today we are working our CORE MUSCLES by doing 7 MED BALL EXERCISES!


Need A Medicine Ball? Get Yours Here:
    

The Basic Concepts of Kettlebell Training

The use of kettlebells can be dated back to the end of the 19th century but it wasn't popularized in the United States until the late '90s. The first US-made Russian style kettlebell was made in 2001. Kettlebells are used like other weights to improve one's physique and fitness level.

What sets this cast iron weight apart from other exercise tools is its unusual design- like a cannonball with a handle. Some are filled with water, sand or steel shot. Unlike regular dumbbells where the weight is evenly distributed on each side, the kettlebell’s center of mass goes away from the hand.

Because of its design, the user can swing the weight to improve core strength. Each time you swing the weight, you are not just fighting the weight but the centripetal force as well. Using a kettlebell is no doubt more challenging than working out with a dumbbell of the same weight.

Kettlebells (Dragon Door Brand) of various sizes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The ballistic and swinging movements combine cardio, strength and flexibility movements. These exercises can build strength and endurance specifically in the lower back, shoulders, butt and legs. Basic moves like swing, snatch and the clean and jerk work different muscle groups at once.

Kettlebell exercises are holistic in nature, working many different muscle groups all over the body at the same time. Compared to exercises done with dumbbells, kettlebell training often requires a larger number of repetitions. Another important aspect of the kettlebell is the caution that needs to be practiced when using it.

One of the most common mistakes that beginners make is they bend at the waist and pull with their arms to move the weight. You need to use your hips and not your arms to move the kettlebell. Doing the exercises correctly will allow you to burn more calories and prevent injuries.

If you are a beginner, it will be best to try different weights and exercises until you find one that that will give you a challenging but functional workout. Learn the basics before you venture out to more advanced techniques. The basic core moves that you have to master are how to swing, clean and snatch.

You can't be an advanced kettlebell user unless you practice the basic exercises first. But another great thing about working out with kettlebells is that since the exercises involved in kettlebell training use the same type of movements you might use in daily physical chores such as chopping wood and shoveling, you are able to develop functional strength that can benefit you in your everyday life.

The weight itself does not look complicated, but mastering the moves is a little difficult. There are certain techniques that are critical to preventing injuries. If you are planning to workout with a kettlebell, it's best to enroll in a class or purchase a DVD so you can practice the moves at home, and learn the basics first to stay safe.

A Few Good Kettlebell Workout DVDs for Beginners:

   

Video: Strength Exercises for Swimmers

If you love swimming and want to increase your speed, this short video demonstrates some great exercises for building core strength and increasing speed while swimming. These are also great exercises for building core strength in general - so even if you're not a swimmer, you can benefit from these with a strong core, better posture, and a flatter, more toned midsection.*

*Note: Some of these exercises are fairly advanced. Do not attempt without making sure you are at a high enough fitness level to avoid injury. Listen to your body, and consult a personal trainer for guidance if needed.

Fast Swimming Secret Tip - Core Exercise
Sabir Muhammad demonstrates fast swimming exercises used at the Race Club to increase core strength. Gary Hall Sr describes these exercises and how they incr...