6 Awesome Core Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

From Fitness Republic

Want a toned and sculpted mid-section? You’ll need a killer cardio-and-strength-training routine, combined with targeted, ab-focused moves (and of course, a finely-tuned diet) to get you there.

Here are a set of core-sculpting exercises that will work your abs and show off your trim tummy with confidence.

1

Russian Twists

Russian twists are an ingenious way of ripping your oblique muscles and building core strength.

• Start the exercise sitting on a mat. Lift your legs slightly off the ground so you are balancing on your backside.
• Holding either a dumbbell, barbell plate or medicine ball, rotate your torso alternately from side to side.
• Be sure to brace your core throughout the movement.
• Do three sets of 12 each.

2

Lower Belly Leg Reach

This is essentially a 2-in-1 exercise that targets the lower and middle abs.

• Start with your back to the ground and with your legs raised up, knees bent at a 90-degree angle over the hips.
• From a more relaxed position and your hands behind your head, slowly lift your shoulders and perform a crunch.
• At the top of the crunch, hold the position for five seconds.
• After you’re finished with the first position, extend your legs upwards from the 45-degree angle and hold the position for five seconds to complete a rep.
• Perform three sets of 12 reps.

3

Donkey Kickbacks

Donkey kickbacks might not look very effective, but trust us: they’ll give you a burn in all the right places.

• The starting position for this exercise is on your hands and knees with your back kept as flat as possible at all times.
• From the starting position, rest all your lower body weight on your toes only (knees off the ground).
• Tighten your belly muscles while bringing your right knee as close to your nose as possible, and straighten your right leg behind you for one rep.
• Repeat the motion for 12 reps and three sets on each leg.

4

Planks

Planks are one of my personal favourites, because despite being really effective in sculpting the abdominal region, they also do a great job of working the arms, butt and even the quads.

• Start the position by getting on all fours with shoulders directly aligned above your arms.
• Stretch both legs out behind you so that your lower body rests on the balls of your feet.
• With your abs drawn inwards and your body aligned as flat as possible, hold the position for a minute.
• Hold for three sets of 60 seconds each.

5

Boat Pose

The lower abs are some of the most problematic regions of the core area. The boat pose is a great weapon for blasting lower-belly fat.

• The workout starts in a seated position with the feet flat on the ground, knees bent in front and the upper body supported by both arms behind the torso.
• Stretch out your legs in front and stretch out your arms in front of you.
• Keep your back straight. Hold the pose for a full minute and let your legs fall back down slowly.
• Repeat for three sets.

6

Reverse Crunch

This exercise can be done to fight belly flab without any equipment but to get even better results, you can opt for an eight-pound medicine ball.

• Lie on your back with your legs raised and raise your knees at a 90-degree angle.
• Place a medicine ball between your legs. Pull your knees toward your chest and return to the starting position for one rep.
• Aim for three sets of 12 reps.

See more at: Fitness Republic