Not sit-ups, planks, or crunches: I do this simple Pilates exercise every single day to build a strong and stable core and work on my hip flexor mobility

A photo of a woman with strong abs.

Building a strong core is far simpler than it sounds, and trust me, I’ve been writing about fitness fads for the past decade. Building a six-pack is a different ballgame entirely, and if that’s your goal, you’ll need to focus on your diet, stress, sleep and overall body fat percentage.

Yet a strong core is about far more than visible abdominal muscles. Your core is your body’s corset, protecting your spine from injury as you move, and helping you run, walk and lift with better posture and balance.