Crunch Time

The Only 10 Core Moves You Need

by Tyghe Trimble
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Core strength matters — a lot. So how do you incorporate it into life? By doing it. All. The. Time. Memorize these 10 core moves and start today. Go ahead, we’ll wait.

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V-Sits

Sit on the floor, knees bent, feet flat in front of you. Lean back and lift your feet, straightening your legs into a V position. Hold this position for 30 seconds.

Bicycles

On your back, with knees bent and hands behind your head, raise your head and feet off the floor and begin cycling your legs. Bring opposite elbow to knee as you go. Do 60 seconds, rest 20 seconds, and go again.

Russian Twist.

Seated, lean back so your torso is at a 45-degree angle with the floor, keeping your feet grounded and legs bent. Rotate your body left, then back through the center, and to the right. Perform 30 on each side.

Plank

Lie face-down, torso propped up on your elbows. Raise your body to forms one long line from shoulders to feet. Aim to hold 90 seconds — or until failure.

Hanging Leg Raises

Hang from a bar. Engage your core and raise both legs straight in front of you. Repeat until failure.

Flutter Kick

Lie on your back, heels about 6 inches off the ground. Hands by your sides, scissor your legs up and down for 20 seconds, rest 10, then do 20 seconds more.

Leg Drop.

Lie on your back on the floor, legs straight up in the air. Lower your straight legs to just above the floor, then raise them. Do 10 reps, rest 10 seconds, then do another 10 reps.

Mountain-Climbers

In a plank, slowly pull one leg in to bring your knee to your chest, then return your foot. Switch legs. Repeat. Do 30 on each side.

Crunches

The cousin of full sit-ups, crunches involve lying on your back, feet either flat on the floor or elevated in the air with knees bent. Perform small contractions of your abdominal muscles to raise and lower your torso a few inches. Aim for 100 crunches.

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