Top 5 Core Strengthening Bodyweight Exercises

A tight core is the ultimate fitness goal for many people. Not only does it look visually appealing to have a strong, tight core but having a strong set of stomach muscles also improves your posture, helps with back problems, and makes performing other exercises much easier. In this article, I’m going to help you develop the strong set of stomach muscles you’ve always desired by outlining five of the best core-strengthening bodyweight exercises.

1 – Bicycle Crunches with Elbow Touches

Bicycle crunches with elbow touches are a tough but effective core-tightening exercise that involves performing crunches while cycling your legs in the air. To perform bicycle crunches, follow the instructions below:

1. Lie down on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, your hands at either side of your head, and your elbows sticking out.
2. Raise your legs off the ground, keep your left leg straight, and bend your right leg towards your chest.
3. At the same time, rotate your body towards your right knee and touch it with your right elbow.
4. Straighten your right leg and bend your left leg towards your chest.
5. At the same time, rotate your body towards your left knee and touch it with your left elbow.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
7. Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 2-6 two more times.

Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Bicycle Crunches

2 – Planks

Planks are a stationary abdominal exercise that looks deceptively easy but in reality, are incredibly tough. They involve holding your body in a tight, rigid plank position for as long as possible and giving your core a thorough workout. To perform planks, follow the instructions below:

1. Kneel down on the floor and place your forearms in front of you so that they are parallel to your head.
2. Straighten your legs, bring your knees off the floor, and balance on your toes and forearms.
3. Once you have your balance, tighten your core muscles and hold the plank position for as long as you can.
4. Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 1-3 two more times.

Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Planks

3 – Side Planks

Side planks are an effective variation of regular planks that involve holding a similar position while rotating your body to one side. To perform side planks, follow the instructions below:

1. Lie down on the left-hand side of your body.
2. Place your left forearm on the floor and your right hand behind your head.
3. Slowly lift your hips off the floor and balance on your feet and left forearm.
4. Once you have your balance, tighten your core muscles and hold the side plank position for as long as you can.
5. Rest for 1 minute and then lie down on the right-hand side of your body.
6. Place your right forearm on the floor and your left hand behind your head.
7. Slowly lift your hips off the floor and balance on your feet and right forearm.
8. Once you have your balance, tighten your core muscles and hold the side plank position for as long as you can.
9. Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 1-9 two more times.

Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Side Planks

4 – Lying Leg Raises

Lying leg raises are another abdominal exercise that looks easy when you’re observing them but is very challenging when you actually perform them. They engage all your core muscles as you raise and lower your legs and give them an excellent workout. To perform lying leg raises, follow the instructions below:

1. Lie down flat on the floor and place your hands by your butt.
2. Slowly raise your legs off the floor, stopping once the soles of your feet face the ceiling and your legs are at a 90-degree angle to your hips.
3. Slowly lower your legs back down towards the floor, stopping just before your feet touch the floor.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
5. Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 2-4 two more times.

Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Lying Leg Raises

5 – Lying Knee Tucks

Lying knee tucks are very similar to lying leg raises but involve you bending your knees towards your stomach instead of raising them up in the air. To perform lying leg raises, follow the instructions below:

1. Lie down flat on the floor and place your hands by your butt.
2. Slowly bend your knees and bring them towards your stomach, stopping when they are fully tucked in.
3. Slowly straighten your knees, stopping just before your feet touch the floor.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
5. Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 2-4 two more times.

Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Lying Knee Tucks

By practicing the exercises in this post once or twice per week, you’ll rapidly develop a set of strong, toned core muscles!