Training your core is crucial because it can improve your balance and helps you manage your weight. Choosing to engage your abdominals with different exercises allows you to keep your body challenged. There are a variety of elbow-to-knee core exercises, allowing you to work different muscles through your core.
Traditional Situp
Traditional situps can shape and tone your abdominal muscles. The most common mistake made with traditional situps is pulling on the back of the neck with the arms. Also move slowly when doing situps, because rapid movement can cause lower-back pain and even take the effort off your abdominals and onto your hips. Lying on your back with your knees bent, keep your hands light, resting on the back of your head. Draw your naval in and exhale as you lift your upper body off the floor and touch your elbow to your knees. Slowly lower back down as you inhale.
Bicycle Twist
Bicycle twists work your obliques to help whittle away your waist. Begin by lying on your back with your knees drawn into your chest. Place your hands lightly behind your head. Keep your abdominal muscles engaged as you lift your right elbow to your left knee, while extending your right leg above the floor. Swtich by drawing your right leg to meet your left elbow. It is important that you twist through your core, rather than just moving your elbows side to side. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions on each side.
Lunge Twists
Not all core training exercises need to be done lying on the floor. Walking lunge twists rotate your core while standing. This compound exercises works muscles in your abdomen, back and buttocks. Begin by stepping your right leg out into a lunge stance. Keep your hands placed behind your head and, while holding the bottom of your lunge, twist your core. Bend your right elbow to tap your left knee, and return upright. Step forward into a lunge on your left leg and twist to tap your right elbow to your left knee. Complete three sets of eight on each leg.
Decline Bench
Decline bench situps also target your core. Lying on a decline bench, place your hands lightly behind your head. Drawing your naval in, as you exhale lift your torso, allowing both of your elbows to tap your knees. Be mindful to use your strength to lift your body up and not momentum. Complete three sets of 15 repetitions.
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