Best At-Home Core Workout (From Beginner to Advanced)

It works your hip flexors, transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, erector spinae muscles, latissimus dorsi, and scapular muscles.

How to perform Russian twist:

1. Begin in a seated position, knees bent.
2. Lean back slightly, forming a V with your torso and thighs, and engage your core to maintain your back, shoulders, and head raised.
3. Cross your ankles and lift your legs off the ground.
4. As you balance, rotate your body from side to side with your obliques. Maintain as much stillness as possible in your legs.
5. Repeat 15 repetitions on each side for a total of 30 reps.
6. Rest and repeat for sets.

Bicycle Crunch

It works your external and internal obliques, hip flexors and rectus abdominis (especially the lower abdominals).

How to perform bicycle crunch:

1. Lie on your back and extend your legs straight out before you. Put your fingers behind the head and interlace them.
2. Lift your shoulder blades off the ground and draw your left knee toward the chest.
3. Crunch up and slightly rotate as you bring the right elbow near your left knee.
4. Maintain a relaxed hold behind your head and avoid pulling on your neck. Repeat on the other side.
5. Complete 10 repetitions on each leg for a total of 20 total reps.
6. Rest and repeat for sets.

Exercises your erector spinae (which aids spinal stability), rectus abdominis, and glutes.

How to perform bird dog:

1. Begin on all fours, with your knees hip-width apart and hands beneath your shoulders.
2. Extend your right arm forward while bringing the left leg back till it is straight.
3. Maintain a straight line between your extended leg and arm and your body while keeping your hips square to the floor.
4. Maintain your lower back from bending by engaging your core.
5. Pause for a moment, return to the starting position, switch sides, and repeat.
6. Complete 10 repetitions on each leg for a total of 20 reps.
7. Rest and repeat for sets.

Spiderman Press-up

It is designed to involve your core, so while it targets your triceps and chest like a traditional press-up, your core and other abdominal muscles need to work more to maintain stability.

How to perform:

1. Start in a high plank posture, with your core tight and your shoulders away from the ears.
2. Lower yourself to the floor while bringing your left knee to your left elbow.
3. Squeeze the obliques while keeping the knee off the ground.
4. Press back to the high-plank position as you return the left leg to the starting position.
5. Repeat with the other side.

The Superman workout benefits people of all fitness levels since it targets the lower back, hamstrings, and glutes.

It also complements other core exercises that primarily target the abs.

How to perform:

1. Lie facedown on the ground, with your legs extended and your arms outstretched before you.
2. Maintaining a neutral head position (avoid looking up), slowly elevate your left arm and right leg a few inches off the ground or until you notice your lower back muscles tense.
3. Engage your glutes, core, and the muscle groups between the shoulder blades simultaneously.
4. Raise your abdomen slightly off the ground to compress your abs.
5. Maintain this posture for a few seconds. Make sure you're breathing throughout.
6. Return your left arm, right leg, and belly to the starting position.
7. Repeat the movement with your right arm and left leg.

Heel Taps

The heel taps work your external and internal obliques and rectus abdominis.

How to perform:

1. Lie on your back, legs bent, feet flat on the floor a few inches from your buttocks.
2. Crunch up with your core, lifting your shoulder blades off the ground. Extend your arms forward from each side of your legs. Rotate from side to side with the obliques, softly hitting the outside of your heel with your palms.
3. Perform 15 repetitions on each side for a total of 30 reps.
4. Rest and repeat for sets.

How to perform glute bridge:

1. Lie on your back; knees bent, and feet flat on the floor.
2. Your legs should be hip-width apart, your toes pointed forwards, and your heels a few inches away from the glutes.
3. Place your arms at your sides, palms facing up towards the ceiling.
4. Squeeze your abs and glutes as you push your hips toward the sky.
5. Lift your hips as far as you can without bending your back.
6. Squeeze your glutes at the highest position for two seconds as tightly as possible.
7. Lower the hips slowly to the starting position, maintaining tension in the abs and glutes.
8. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

Plank to Downward Dog Taps

Engages your glutes, transverse and rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, hamstrings, and scapular muscles.

How to perform:

1. Begin on all fours with both feet hip-width apart in a push-up position.
2. Lift your buttocks up and backward, straightening your feet to downward dog.
3. Extend the left arm toward the right leg simultaneously, stretching back as far as possible.
4. Return to a push-up posture and repeat the downward dog movement. This time, reach back as far as possible with your right hand toward your left foot.
5. Complete 10 repetitions on each leg for a total of 20 reps.
6. Rest and repeat for sets.

It engages your glutes, transverse abdominis, scapular muscles, rectus abdominis, lats, and internal and external obliques.

How to perform side plank with rotation:

1. Begin in a side plank, with the left shoulder over your left elbow, with the left shoulder supporting the upper body, and your feet spread out, legs stacked on each other.
2. Maintain this posture and raise your left arm to the ceiling.
3. Twist your body forward and stretch your arm behind you, threading it beneath your body. Return to your starting position.
4. Complete 10 repetitions on each side for a total of 20 overall.
5. Rest and repeat for sets.

Oblique Crunch

How to perform oblique crunches:

1. Lie on your back; legs bent, and flat on the ground.
2. Place your right arm behind the head, elbow out, and left palm down parallel to your chest.
3. Contract your abs and twist your torso to draw the right elbow closer to your left knee.
4. Lower slowly and repeat all repetitions before switching sides.

Read More: Planks vs Crunches: Muscles Worked & Which is Best

How to perform supine toe taps:

1. Begin on your back. Raise your legs; knees bent at 90 degrees. Place both hands, palms down, at your sides.
2. Tighten your abs. Lower the right foot to the floor and lightly tap it, maintaining your left leg steady and your back flat.
3. Return to the beginning position by raising your right leg.
4. Repeat with your other leg.

Mountain Climber

How to perform mountain climber exercise:

1. Begin in a plank position with both hands below the shoulders. Tighten your abs.
2. Raise the right knee to your chest while maintaining your back neutral and your hips down.
3. Return the right leg to the beginning position while raising your left knee to your chest.
4. Continue alternating legs for the desired number of times.

How to perform:

1. Lie on your back and extend your legs straight out before you.
2. Place your palms down just behind your buttocks or beside you.
3. Raise your feet off the floor.
4. Keep your lower back on the ground by engaging your core.
5. As you pull up, draw your navel in. Lower yourself slowly to the ground and repeat for reps.

A strong torso allows you to maintain your balance no matter your task.

A strong core will enable you to stand taller and balance your trunk during exercise or regular activities.

A weak core immediately increases your risk of muscular injury, lower back discomfort, and poor posture.

Improves Balance

Total core power and the improved posture it provides assists your balance.

This is because operating from a solid base simplifies staying upright on shaky ground or recuperating from a stumble. It restores balance to your body.

You stand a little taller and have a sense of balance throughout your entire physical being.

Strength isn't only vital in your core; exercising the muscles across your body may help you perform at your best.

And a strong core is the foundation for success with extra strength training.

A strong core allows you to lift more weight. Strong lifts need high flexibility and core strength to accomplish properly.

Protects Your Organs

"Organs are an important component of how your body works and a strong core may help maintain some of them safe."

- Laura Pachnos, Certified Personal Trainer

Organs such as your kidneys, liver, spleen, and others sit just beneath your abdominal wall, which serves as a protective barrier from outside forces.

As an outcome, the stronger the core is, the better that tissue is protected from external force or harm.