Core Workouts at the Gym: The Best Exercises for Abs
intermediate level
Core Workouts at the GymLooking for a core strength workout? Find the best abs exercises here.
Perform three days a week with one day of rest between workouts (i.e., Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
For optimal results, each exercise should challenge your muscles. However, you first should start with lighter weights till you properly learn each movement pattern. Once mastered, select the amount of weight that causes you to fatigue during the specified reps below. For example, if an exercise calls for 12 reps, your goal it to find a weight that causes you to fatigue during the 12th rep in proper form. As you get stronger you should increase the weight for the best outcome.
Core exercises are any exercises that challenge the muscles of the torso, spine, and pelvis, the area of the body that must stabilize the spinal column, hips, and pelvic region, which serve as your foundation for all movements and actions. A core exercise is and can be almost any exercise in which the body is not supported.
For example, instead of doing a bench press on a bench or a machine, doing the same movement on a physioball necessitates activating muscles in the stomach, spinal column, hips, and pelvis to balance and stabilize the body. A push-up is another example of a core exercise because it requires the back and abdominal muscles to contract in order to keep the spine straight.
The purpose of core exercises is to train the many large and small muscles that help control and stabilize the spinal column and pelvis in order to increase endurance and strength and to be better able to control the spine and pelvis when forces are applied to it during daily activities and physical activities. Core exercises can and should be incorporated into every workout you do. This can be accomplished by performing as many exercises as possible without using a bench or seat to support your spine and pelvis. To stabilize the body, the core muscles must be engaged.
Use proper form. Take time to learn how to properly perform each exercise. Lifting weights effectively requires you to move through the entire range of motion without pain. The better your form, the less likely you are to injure yourself. If you can't maintain good form, reduce the weight, or the number of repetitions. Remember that proper form is important even when picking up weights or returning them to the rack.
If you're unsure whether you're performing an exercise correctly, seek advice from a personal trainer or other fitness professional.
Please consult with a doctor before starting any workout or fitness program. This is especially important if you haven't exercised in a long time, if you have any health concerns, if you're pregnant, or if you're an older adult. Please speak with your doctor to determine the amount of exercise that is appropriate for you.
Week 1
This daily workout contains 7 exercises, you'll be doing the following exercises.
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
Rest day!
This daily workout contains 11 exercises, you'll be doing the following exercises.
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
Rest day!
This daily workout contains 9 exercises, you'll be doing the following exercises.
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 3
- Reps: 10
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 2
- Sets: 2
- Reps: 10
