Best Core Exercises For Overall Fitness and Weight Loss

Core exercises are some of the most important exercises that you can do for your overall fitness.

They work to strengthen your abdominal muscles, as well as your back and pelvic muscles. Core exercises can also help in losing weight and improving your balance.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best core exercises for overall fitness, as well as how to perform them correctly.

First, we need to understand what are the muscles that we work on when we talk about working on ‘core’ muscles. These muscles include:

  • Rectus abdominis (the six-pack muscle)
  • Transverse abdominis (deepest abdominal muscle that wraps around your spine)
  • Internal and external obliques (sides of the waist)
  • Erector spinae muscles (along the spine)

The best core exercises for overall fitness are:

Planks

The plank is a great core exercise that works your entire body.

To do this exercise, you will need to get into the push-up position, but with your elbows on the ground instead of your hands.

Make sure that your back is straight and hold this position for as long as possible.

Plank Pose

Pelvic Tilt

The pelvic tilt is another great exercise that works your core muscles.

To do this exercise, lie on your back on the ground and place your feet flat on the floor.

Slowly lift your pelvis and stomach off of the ground, and hold this position for a few seconds. Then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

Pelvic Tilt

Superman

The superman exercise works on your back and abdominal muscles.

To do this exercise, you will need to lie on your stomach on the ground.

Then raise your arms and legs off of the ground, and hold this position for a few seconds. Then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

Superman-Exercise

Bicycle Crunches

The bicycle crunch is a great exercise that works your obliques, rectus abdominous, and hips.

To do this exercise, lie on your back on the ground and place your hands behind your head.

Then bring your knees in towards your chest and alternately touch each elbow to the opposite knee.

Also Read: Best 11 Ab Wheel Exercises For Beginners

Bicycle Crunches

Bird Dog

The bird dog is a great exercise that works your back and abdominal muscles.

To do this exercise, you will need to get on all fours on the ground.

Then extend one arm in front of you and raise your opposite leg until it is parallel to the floor. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then switch arms and legs.

Bird Dog Exercise

Bent Arm Reach

The bent arm reach is another great exercise that works your core muscles.

To do this exercise, you will need to stand with your feet hip-width apart.

Then bend over at the waist and reach your hand towards the ground. Keep your back straight, and hold this position for a few seconds. Then slowly raise yourself back up to the starting position.

Bent and Reach

Russian Twist

The Russian twist is a great exercise that works your abdominal muscles and core.

To do this exercise, you will need to sit on the ground with your knees bent and pull your abs in towards your spine.

Then lean back a few inches and twist your torso to the right, and then to the left. Make sure that you keep your back straight, and don’t lean too far back.

You may also do this while holding a dumbbell or some weight.

Russian Twist

Crunches

Crunch is a great workout to strengthen your abdominal muscles.

To do this exercise, lie on your back on the ground and place your feet flat on the floor.

Then bring your knees in towards your chest and curl your torso up off of the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

These are some of the best core exercises that you can do for overall fitness. Make sure to add them to your routine to see results.

Crunches

Bridge

The bridge is an exercise that works your glutes and abdominal muscles.

To do this exercise, you will need to lie on your back on the ground and place your feet flat on the floor.

Then raise your torso and legs off of the ground, and hold this position for a few seconds. Then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

Glue Bridge Exercise

Supine Toe Tap

The supine toe tap is an easy to do exercise that helps in strengthening the core.

To do this exercise, you will need to lie on your back on the ground and place your hands behind your head.

Then raise one leg off of the ground and tap your toes against the opposite knee. Repeat this process with the other leg.

Supine Toe Tap

Warrior Crunch

The warrior crunch exercise helps in strengthening your lower body, core, thighs, quads and glutes.

To do this exercise, you will need to stand with your feet hip-width apart.

Then step one foot forward and lunge down towards the ground. Keep your back straight, and make sure that you don’t lean too far forward.

Then bring your hands up towards your chest and curl your torso up off of the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

Warrior Crunch

Mountain Climber

The mountain climber is an excellent exercise that works your abdominal muscles and core strength.

To do this exercise, you will need to get into a plank position on the ground.

Then bring one knee in towards your chest, and then quickly switch legs. Make sure that you keep your back straight and don’t let your hips sag down towards the ground.

Mountain Climber

Side Plank

The side plank is a great exercise that works on strengthening the overall body.

To do this exercise, you will need to lie on your side on the ground with your legs straight.

Then raise your torso and hips off of the ground, and hold this position for a few seconds. Then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

Side Plank

Turkish Getup

The Turkish getup is a great exercise that works your entire body.

To do this exercise, you will need to lie on your back on the ground and place your left arm out straight.

Then raise yourself up to a sitting position, and then stand up. Make sure that you keep your back straight, and don’t lean too far forward.

Then slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position. Repeat this process with your right arm.

Turkish Getup

These are some of the best core exercises that you can do for overall fitness. Make sure to add them to your routine to see results.

Remember, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity when doing these exercises; so make sure to take your time and concentrate on proper form.

For best results, aim to do three sets of 12-15 reps for each exercise.

Happy working out!

About Jessica J, M.D

Written & reviewed by Dr. Jessica J. Follow me on Pinterest & LinkedIn.