
Sit-ups are the exercise we probably all first came across in regard to strengthening our midsection muscles. And while they aren’t completely useless – as they do target lots of the core’s key muscles – they are a tad boring and not the easiest. Luckily, there are plenty of other brilliant bodyweight exercises that are highly effective for building a rock-solid core, which Personal Trainer, James Stirling, has shared. Even better, it doesn’t include crunches or the plank either.
Can you build a stronger core using just your bodyweight? Absolutely. Just like bodyweight training can build strength and muscle, it works for your core too. The key is progressive overload. Again, that doesn’t mean you have to start incorporating weights; you could simply perform the exercise for a few seconds longer, slow it down, or reduce your rest time between sets. By increasing the intensity, your core muscles are constantly being challenged, encouraging growth, endurance, and stability over time.