Goodbye crunches and sit-ups — these 3 exercises target your 'deep core' muscles to strengthen your pelvic floor and stabilize your spine

A woman lying on the floor tensing her abs in a crunch.

Building a strong core means far more than just flattening your stomach or sculpting visible abs.

Your deep core refers to a group of muscles that stabilize your spine, pelvis, and internal organs, protecting your lower back from injuries as you move.