Forget weights—a trainer says this eight-minute pillow workout will help beginners build core strength

Woman wearing a white tshirt and black leggings on an exercise mat on her back. Her legs are up at 90-degree angles with a pillow in between. .

Your core is made up of more than just your abs (the muscles responsible for the six-pack shape on the front of the stomach). There are muscles that wrap around your abdomen, stabilize your spine and support your pelvis that also form part of your core.

Some core muscles also lie deep within your trunk and these can be hard to target—which is where a simple exercise aid can make a difference.