Sneaky Core Training Workout

Posted On May 24, 2022 By Amy Kiser Schemper

athletic woman doing a crunch

When we think of working our "core" we usually think of our abs. "Core exercise" means crunches, planks and bicycles, right? In reality, our core muscles go beyond the six pack abdominal muscles we envision, and include our obliques, transverse abs, pelvic floor and back muscles. We train these muscles by targeting them directly, with moves like those crunches and planks, but also indirectly. This includes stability training, balance work, and all the ways our core stabilizes our trunk as we move. We actually use those core muscles in every movement that we do, and there are many ways to get core training indirectly, while also working your full body. It's what I like to call "sneaky core" and it can be challenging and fun! Check out my Dumbbell Full-Body Core workout below!

Dumbbell Full-Body Core Workout

*Do each exercise for 45 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of rest. Repeat 3 times.

  • Offset lunge and press
  • Single leg deadlift handoff
  • Row, curl & knee
  • Press and bicycle
  • Plank pull through

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Kettlebell Oblique Workout

A woman performing a seated twist using a kettlebell.