Skip the Crunches and Try These Simple, Core-Strengthening Exercises
Developing and maintaining a strong core isn’t just for triathletes and fitness nuts—it is essential for everyone. Having a strong core keeps other parts of your body from overcompensating and causing you pain. While you don’t have to have six-pack abs by any means, it will benefit your overall health to tighten your midsection as much as possible.
No matter your age or fitness level, there are plenty of things you can do to firm up your abdominal muscles at home (and most of them don’t require expensive exercise machines). Bodyweight exercises are a great way to build core muscle, and they don’t cost you anything but time.
If you want a stronger, firmer midsection, skip the gym and try out these 4 easy moves:
- Jackknife sit-ups: Lay on your back with your legs on the ground and your arms reached over your head, touching the floor. Clench your abdominal muscles, pull your legs and your arms up, and form your body into a V shape as you touch the tips of your fingers to your toes.
- Hanging leg raises: Hang from a pull-up bar and allow your legs to dangle. Without arching your back, pull your legs up from the waist until they are parallel to the floor.
- Reverse crunches: Lay on your back with your arms extended downward, your palms pressed to the floor, and your legs flat. Raise your legs up from the waist until they are straight up and perpendicular to the ground, keeping your hands, shoulders, and lower back pressed to the floor.
If you have experienced a car accident, surgery, or other debilitating event, keeping your core strong and toned is still important and it can make a big difference in your recovery. However, you may need a little extra help to maintain strength without injuring yourself. In such cases, working with an experienced physical therapist may be your ticket to achieving your former level of function and making a full, speedy recovery.
Physical Therapist Serving Clients in Aberdeen & Throughout Monmouth County
When you call ProFysio Physical Therapy in Monmouth County, NJ, we can help you address any issues relating to core strength or lack thereof. We know what it takes to get you up and moving again without putting you at risk of further complications or injuries.
Call us today at (732) 333-6360 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.