Sit-ups aren’t for everyone; they require strong ab muscles to lift your upper torso off the floor and, even if you can do them, they’re not exactly the most 'fun' exercise in the world. Plus, did you know they’re actually not the most effective move when it comes to building up your core strength as they’re abdominal focused? If you’re looking to build your core and abs then these three exercises are far better – all you’re going to need is a single dumbbell and 10 minutes. No dumbbell? Check out our best dumbbell guide.
The term ‘core’ and ‘abs’ can get used interchangeably, but the two are different. When we talk about ab exercises, we’re referring to workouts that target the abdominal muscles, known as the 'six-pack muscles'. However, our core muscles include the abdominals, hips, pelvic floor, lower back and obliques. All these muscles improve our balance and stability and reduce the likelihood of injuries and lower back pain.
