Abs workout: 4 Core moves — no crunches required

A toned torso doesn’t mean slaving away with crunch after crunch after crunch. In fact, the following four core moves will tighten your waist and boost your core strength better than your daily abs crunch routine. Best yet, these core moves can be done at home or at the gym.
A toned torso doesn’t mean slaving away with crunch after crunch after crunch. In fact, the following four core moves will tighten your waist and boost your core strength better than your daily abs crunch routine. Best yet, these core moves can be done at home or at the gym.

1. Arm and leg extension

Get on all fours and engage your abdominal muscles, pulling your belly button up towards your spine but keeping your back flat. Extend your right leg back, reach forward with your left arm, creating a diagonal from your fingertips to your toes. Hold for 1 second, lower and repeat for 10 to 20 repetitions, 1 to 3 sets. Switch sides, extending your left leg and right arm.

2. Plank with hip drop

Move yourself into a plank position, with your hands underneath your shoulders, arms straight, legs straight, supporting your lower body on your toes. Drop your right hip towards the floor, move to start position, then drop your left hip towards the floor. Continue to alternate, keeping your abs, obliques, and back muscles engaged, for 10 to 20 repetitions each side, 1 to 3 sets.

3. Knee cross crunch

Get in a plank position with your feet slightly wider than your hips. Bring your right knee in towards your left shoulder, then switch, bringing your left knee in towards your right shoulder, keeping your abdominal and oblique muscles engaged. Repeat for 10 to 20 repetitions each side, 1 to 3 sets.

4. Bridge

A strong lower back is essential for total core strength. Lay on your back, arms by your sides, knees bent, and feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips towards the ceiling, tightening your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. Hold for 1 second, lower down, and repeat for 10 to 20 repetitions, 1 to 3 sets.

Get in a full-body workout by adding these upper-body exercises and lower-body moves to your routine.

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