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Exercises to improve your core strength

Core-strength exercises strengthen the core muscles. Core muscles include the abdominal muscles, back muscles and the muscles around the pelvis. Strong core muscles make it easier to do many physical activities.

You can do core-strength exercises on a carpeted floor or mat. Breathe freely and deeply during each core-strength exercise. Focus on tightening the deepest abdominal muscle and the one you feel contracting when you cough, also called the transversus abdominis.

Aim to do one set of each exercise for 12 to 15 repetitions. If you have back problems, osteoporosis or other health concerns, talk to your health care professional before doing these core-strength exercises.

Abdominal crunches are a classic core-strength exercise. To do an abdominal crunch:

To improve core strength of many muscles at one time, try a bridge, sometimes called a back bridge or a glute bridge:

The single-leg abdominal press is another popular core-strength exercise. To do this exercise:

To improve your core strength more completely, try variations of the single-leg abdominal press:

When you’re comfortable with the single-leg abdominal press, try the double-leg abdominal press for more core strength:

These variations of the double-leg abdominal press also build your core strength:

This core-strength exercise is called the quadruped and sometimes called the bird dog:

Another good core-strength exercise is called the modified plank. In a plank, you raise yourself up on your forearms and feet while keeping your body lined up with your hips. To do a modified plank:

For more core-strength exercises, try these variations on the modified plank:

The side plank challenges your stability and improves core strength by working the muscles along the side of your body:

The superman is another core-strength exercise that can help strengthen your lower back:

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