Everything apart from your arms, legs, and the head is the core and not just your abs. So, from your abdominal muscle to the back, the hips, the back of your shoulders – everything falls under core. Its the main function is to generate enough power to aid all body movements.

The abdominals are a part of your core, but they’re not the only core muscles. To strengthen your core, you must target all the core muscles like:

Transverse Abdominis
External ab Obliques
Pelvic Floor
Internal ab Obliques
Scapular Muscles
Glutes
Rectus Abdominis
TOP 7 CORE STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
1. PLANK

The plank is one of the best core strengthening exercises. And that is because it works on most of the core muscles. Here are the muscles that you can activate by doing planks: Abs, glutes, quads, biceps, shoulders, and hamstrings.

How To Do It

Get into a push-up position with the elbows flexed, forearms and toes on the floor, and your body in a straight line from the head to the heels.
Be sure to keep your elbows right below your shoulders.
To prevent any sagging in your center engage your abdominals and squeeze your glutes.
Look down at the floor. Avoid any strain on your head and neck.
2 Sets of 30-60 seconds
2. PUSH-UP

If you’re starting out push-ups can be hard. But practicing planks regularly wish to give you the strength required to accomplish a push-up properly. Addition, it’s a great core strengthening workout. Here are the muscles that you can work – abdominal muscle, glutes, chest, shoulders, obliques, and deltoids.

How To Do It

Place the hands below the shoulders, slightly wider than shoulder width apart with your legs extended back.
Start bending your elbows and lower your chest until it’s just above the floor.
Push back to the starting position. Second push, second pause, second down count is ideal.
2 sets of 10 reps
3. RUSSIAN TWIST

The Russian twist engages your core and as well as your lower back strengthens your abs. These exercise aids to tone and tighten your abdominals and obliques and to trim your waist. The Russian twist as well as helps to improve your balance, stability, and posture. Here are the muscles it works: Traps, spinal erectors, shoulders, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, hamstrings, and quads.

How To Do It

Lie down with your legs bent at the knees.
2. Elevate your upper body so that it creates a V shape with your thighs.
3. Twist your torso to the right, then reverse the motion, twisting them to the left.
4. Repeat these move until set is complete.
3 sets of 12 reps
4. SIT-UPS

Sit-ups are good for toning your belly. Here are the muscles that these exercise targets: Upper, mid, and lower abdominal muscle, obliques, and deltoids.

How To Do It

Lie with your back on your knees bent and your feet flat with the floor.
Place your fingertips behind your ears.
Pull your shoulder blades back and so your elbows are out to the side.
Brace your abdominals then raise your body up towards your knees, shoulders should be lifted off the floor.
Head always looking straight, no chin with chest and don’t pull the head forward.
Roll back down to the starting position.
2 sets of 15 reps
5. VERTICAL LEG CRUNCH

The vertical leg crunch is challenging and super fun. Here are the muscles that it targets: Upper, mid, and lower abdominals, obliques, quads, hamstrings, rhomboids, lats, and deltoids.

How To Do It

Lie flat with the floor, and keep your arms of your side.
Lift both your legs at 90 degrees by the floor.
Lift your hands off the floor and try to touch your toes with your fingertips.
Inspire and go back down.
Exhale and try to touch your toes on your fingertips.
2 sets of 12 reps
6. V-SIT

The V-sit is a slimly advanced core strengthening workout. However, if you practice it regularly, you can do it with rest. Here are the muscles that it targets: Abdominal muscle, hamstrings, obliques, quads, shoulders, quads, glutes and hamstrings.

How To Do It

Sit down on a mat, extend your legs and lift them. Lean back a bit and keep your hands extended and pointing in the front, and palms facing the floor.
Hold these pose for ten seconds then relax.
1 set of 7 reps
7. FLUTTER KICKS

Here are the muscles that it targets: Glutes, hip flexors, lower abs, quads, hamstrings, and calves.

How To Do It

Lie on your back upon a mat. Keep your hands of your side, palms flat on the mat, back flat against the mat, and look up at the ceiling.
Engage your core, lift both your legs off the ground and alternately kick them up and down. Don’t let your feet touch the ground before you accomplished one set.
2 sets of 12 reps
So, now you know that to strengthen the core, you must target all the muscles mentioned above. Let’s get started with the workouts.