The standard plank is performed by holding your body in a straight line from head to heels, supported on your forearms and toes.
The side plank targets the obliques, the muscles along the sides of your abdomen.
Adding a leg lift to your plank routine increases the challenge by introducing instability.
The basic crunch is performed by lying on your back with your knees bent and lifting your shoulders off the ground.
The bicycle crunch adds a twist, literally. By bringing opposite elbows to knees in a pedaling motion, you engage both the rectus abdominis and the obliques.
The reverse crunch targets the lower abs. Lying on your back, you lift your hips off the ground as you draw your knees toward your chest, providing a deeper burn in the lower abdominal region.
Leg raises are great for targeting the lower abs.
This advanced variation requires hanging from a bar and lifting your legs toward the ceiling.
The dead bug is excellent for beginners and advanced users alike, as it emphasizes core control.
The bird-dog exercise is fantastic for improving balance and core stability.