best way to gain core strength?

any advice? I need some core and upper body strength big time!

Re: best way to gain core strength?

For me, I find that building core strength comes with all of the major lifts I do: Squats, Sumo Deadlifts, Goblet Squats etc.

When I focus on core exercises, my favorites are planks, mountain climbers, reverse crunches, weighted ab crunches, hyperextensions and supermans.

For upper body strength I find body weight exercises to be very effective- lots of pushups ups of all kinds to target the chest, triceps (close grip) and shoulders. I will do different range of motion (partial/full) in patterns until I hit failure.

Bicep curls (regular, hammer, 21s) are great for working those muscles.

Shoulders: lateral raises, push presses (AWESOME exercises) military dumbbell press,upright rows---again vary the weights and rep counts and hit failure. Don't be afraid.

Back- Lat pull downs, LOTS OF ROWS (wide grip, close grip, barbell, cable, smith machine, TRX...you name it I do em!) Pullups are GREAT!

Does this help?

Re: best way to gain core strength?

I like pilates for core strengthening. For upper body I agree with Lauren. The exercises Lauren suggested for core are great but they can be tough on the knees and I have enough knee damage

Re: best way to gain core strength?

For me personally, the biggest thing, kettle bell swings when done correctly, which i rarely see. Most people use their arms, you're not supposed to, it’s supposed to be all core.

Re: best way to gain core strength?

Re: best way to gain core strength?

i love plank and variations of the plank. also running (sprinting)

Re: best way to gain core strength?

Plank, plank and more plank. Lots of yoga and chaturanga!

Re: best way to gain core strength?

YOGA!!!!!!

Re: best way to gain core strength?

Any advice for a non-exerciser looking to start off? I too need to gain core strength. I have poor posture and virtually no upper body strength. I'm pretty intimidated by all these exercises. I'm sure it's like everything else, that you get better as you go, but I'm not even really sure where to start. I would like a base to work off of and build, something manageable where I won't be put off and quit before I even start.

TIA!

Re: best way to gain core strength?

all of the above, especially planks :)

and can i just add that proper form is really important.

i can't begin to tell you how proper form changed my abs. i had been tilting my pelvis incorrectly while laying on my back for certain core strength training, and wondering why my back was getting stronger, but not my abs. met with a PT who showed me a way to tilt my pelvis so my abs could get more work out of it, and it's made such a huge difference.

Re: best way to gain core strength?