Your abs form part of your core—a section of mid-body muscle that improves your balance and performance. Which is why if you want a comprehensive core workout, many six-pack abs sessions barely scratch the surface.
Instead, try these six deep core moves from certified personal trainer Tanya Poppett (opens in new tab), which hit important midsection muscles often missed by sit-ups (opens in new tab) and crunches (opens in new tab).
You don’t have to splash out on fancy equipment to give it a go either—the only thing you’ll need is a pillow, although a yoga mat (opens in new tab) is useful for extra protection against hard floors.
To try Poppett’s workout, perform 10 repetitions of each exercise (except the dead bugs, where you’ll do five). If it’s a single-sided movement, perform 10 repetitions on either side of your body.
Work through the six exercises as a circuit, resting as little as possible between them. Complete three rounds of this circuit for a session that should take about 20 minutes.
If you’re new to deep core training, watch Poppett demonstrate each exercise in the videos below to learn how they should be performed.
Watch Tanya Poppett’s deep core workout
Unlike a HIIT workout for fat loss (opens in new tab) or intense outdoor run, Poppett’s workout won’t leave you as a sweaty mess. “The best thing about these moves is you can do them in front of the telly,” she jokes.
Instead, it helps you build functional muscle using core strengthening exercises (opens in new tab), which can lead to plenty of health benefits. Working these muscles boosts your stability, which helps with everyday tasks like carrying the groceries.
And it’ll also boost your performance in full-body compound exercises like squats and lunges, as your core connects your upper and lower body. Plus, stronger core muscles can reduce strain on your lower back.
The use of a pillow, rather than a weighty dumbbell or kettlebell (opens in new tab), may seem like a confusing inclusion….
Read the full article here
