Planks, deadbugs, bear holds they’re all great core exercises, but they also require a lot of lying on the floor – and that can get a little boring, week in week out. Sprinkling in some standing core exercises won’t just freshen up your routine, but they can also be done anywhere with minimal space. You only need 8 minutes on the clock for this five-move workout, two light dumbbells (or heavy water bottles), and a ‘let’s get it’ attitude.
By the way, the plank isn’t a bad exercise (far from it, it’s brilliant), but it isn’t the easiest to master, especially for beginners. Standing core exercises, however, are not only far more accessible, but they generally challenge your balance and stability more (firing up those deep core muscles), as they require you to move the joints through a great range of motion. They’re also super functional and mimic movements that you do every day. How often are you carrying out activities that require you to plank? Not a lot…
