Love them or hate them, abdominal exercises are essential for building and maintaining a strong and healthy physique. While going for a bench press PR may be a major inspiration for hitting the gym, it’s the stabilizing and supportive muscles of our core (the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and internal and external obliques) that enable us to lift heavier, run faster, or jump higher.
But core work can get a bit, well, boring. For the Pilates and Yoga aficionados, working the abdominal muscles in new and interesting ways comes relatively easy. However if you’re more inclined to go for a run, join a HIIT class, or pick up a barbell, forcing yourself to get down onto the mat can be a challenge.
