5 of the best core exercises that you can do at home.

Everyone these days are looking to achieve a flat stomach.

Many people think that the best exercises for the core are crunches and sit-ups but there are much better ways to get to your goal.

Using exercises like planks will help you speed up the process getting those amazing abs. The plank activates a lot more muscles than the standard sit-up or crunch and will also help keep your lower back healthy.

If you’re already doing a fitness program that has sit-ups in it, you can simply replace the exercises with these listed below.

The plank:

The plank is great because it builds your cores isometric strength which will help you improve your posture and shrink your waist. Some planks can also help engage other muscles like your arms, back, glutes and hamstrings. Planks are a great way to build your entire body with sculpting your abs.

If your new to plank or already have been doing them here is 5 ways to change up your plank workout.

5 exercises to redefine your core

Forearm Plank

This exercise is the standard plank and will be the foundation of all the other plank exercises. If you can only do 20 seconds that is fine because you will quickly build on your time. To do the plank make sure that your elbows are directly under your shoulder and that your hips are down so that your body is flat like a table.

Here is a video to help you get started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHjTRCQxIw

Plank Opposite Arm/Leg Raise

This version of the plank engages the core a lot more than the forearm plank. Step one get into forearm plank position. Step up raise the arm and the opposite leg. Remember to keep your elbows in line with your shoulder and your hips level.

Here is a video showing this exercise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33TSvZNVUmI

Side Plank

The side plank is a great exercise to hit the sides of the core. This exercise works the oblique muscles while keeping the rest of the core engaged. To do this exercise lay on your side with your elbow under your shoulder. Lift your hip and hold.

Here is a video that shows the side plank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2VljzCC16g

Dolphin plank

The dolphin plank is a great exercise that works your abs, shoulders and back. You can do this by getting into plank position and walking your feet forward sticking your hips in the air. Remember to keep your elbows under your shoulders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg4FiTI-9vw

Stir-the-pot-plank

This plank requires a ball and is a little more advanced than the other plank exercises. Get in forearm plank position on the ball with the elbows under the shoulders. Next make small circles with your elbows on the ball. This will engage all your core muscles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxl9Fxcr-00

If you do these exercises, then you will see some results very quickly. You should start to feel your core tightening up in a couple weeks. Try to do these exercises 3 times a week on alternating days. Enjoy!