309/365 Strengthen Your Core with Good Form

Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,

Lots of people have asked me about exercises for your core. While there are tons of exercises out there, the most important thing that I've found is that good form usually means that you will also be working your abs.

Our trunk keeps us balanced. Raise your arms up by your sides so that they are parallel to the floor. Now, keep your arms straight and quickly clap your hands together. Bring them back out. Did your core move? Did you lean back a little when you clapped and lean forward when you brought your arms out? Do it again but this time focus on not moving your trunk at all.

Ta da! You just did an ab exercise! Though this doesn't target your abs directly like a crunch would, it is a functional way to work your body. Take this focus on keeping your trunk steady into any exercise you do. Whether it's curls, rows, shoulder presses, lunges, whatever, make sure that your trunk is locked in place. It'll allow you to better target the muscle you are working on and strengthen your abs.

When you think about the muscle you are using to contract, you work harder. You will feel greater intensity in that muscle even if it's the same amount of weight you've been picking up and putting down.

In health,

Lauren