Challenge Day 1: Fire Up Your Core In 5 Minutes

As a personal trainer, the most common exercise question I get asked is, “What can I do to strengthen my core?” This is a great question because the term “core” is often used interchangeably with “abs” even though the two are quite different. Your core includes your abs, your glutes (butt), lower back muscles, and your hips. Your abs, well, they’re just your abs.

Training your core will give you stronger abs, but it will also improve your posture, alleviate low back pain, help you avoid various injuries, and can improve your athletic performance. So let the core training begin!

This first workout includes three simple exercises and will take less than five minutes to complete one circuit. If you’re feeling ambitious, try doing the entire routine a second time through.

Exercise #1: Skyscrapers — 10 per side

Exercise #2: Windshield Wipers — 10 per side

Exercise #3: Army Crawls — 36 steps

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 of this workout challenge!

Cover photo courtesy of iStock