If you're looking to build strength then you can't go wrong by focusing on big compound lifts, like the deadlift, squat and bench. "Whereas if someone says specifically I want to do an ab exercise, I know they're talking about the muscles at the front of the stomach."Ĭhest Exercises and Workouts to Build Bigger Pecs "By exercising your core you're trying to focus on what's happening around the centre of your body," says Burton. Think of the relationship between your abs and your core as you do the relationship between your biceps or triceps and your arms: one is a muscle whereas the other is an area comprised of multiple muscles. Every time you sneeze, cough or laugh your core is contracting, so it's important you build sufficient core strength for whatever task you're doing." What Muscles Make up the Core If I say to you: try getting out of bed without using your core, it can't happen. "You core isn't something that you can switch on or off," says Burton.
That's why we've enlisted the help of Marvin Burton, head of fitness at Anytime Fitness UK, to get your core ready for action, whether you need it to get you through 80 minutes of rugby or carry your shopping home from the supermarket. Whatever your reasons for wanting to improve your core strength, our guide to the best core exercises will help you build strength, stability and six-pack muscles.įrom the minute you rise out of bed to the minute you sleep at night there isn't a moment where you're not using your core.
Deadlifts hit a plateau? Shoulders hunching forward as you run? Or maybe you've just found yourself slumped over your desk one too many times.