Core exercises are an essential part of a fitness routine. A strong core is important for , maintaining and reducing back pain. Along with the low back and glutes, the abdominals are one of the major muscle groups that make up the core.
But standard ab exercises like and can be tricky to get right. Many people complain of when performing these moves. While they can be effective if performed correctly, common mistakes like pulling on the neck and recruiting other muscles devalue the exercise and open the door for pain and injury.
Luckily, situps and crunches are just scratching the surface when it comes to moves that target your abdominals. There are lots of effective exercises that without putting undue stress on the neck and back. Plus, it’s worthwhile to diversify your workout with different ab exercises to target the core from different angles and create a well-rounded routine that doesn’t get boring.
Here are 18 ab exercises from personal trainer and TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour that you can try at home. Start lying on your back. Keep your shoulders and low back flat on the floor as you lift your arms straight toward the sky, above your shoulders.
Then, lift your legs and bend your knees into a tabletop position, stacked over your hips at a 90-degree angle. Exhale, engaging the core, as you slowly lower the opposite arm and leg (left leg and right arm), hovering them above the floor. Return to the starting position.
Repeat on the opposite side (right le.
