Welcome to our Wild Workout Wednesday link up! Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, and Sarah at Creating Better Tomorrow to bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us for a wild workout each week by reading along or grab the button and link up if you have a fitness or healthy living post to share!
I’ve always believed that even if you have one day available for strength training that it should be core strength. Not just for the cosmetic benefits, but the core is what stabilizes almost everything we do, every moment of our day. A weak core could result in postures or compensating movements that lead to injuries.
My core has always been a priority, but I have to admit, I did take it for granted before kids. Now, after two, I’ve had to work extra hard to get it back–and it’s still a work in progress. I’m always looking for crunchless core exercises that get me the burn I need to get my core marathon, Mudder, and kid strong.
Check out these three that I’m loving right now:
1. Tabletop Crunch
Begin in yoga tabletop position and extend one arm and the opposite leg. Once fully extended with the core engaged and body balanced, pull in with your hand and drive your knee in to your stomach as far as possible. Hold for a moment, then repeat for 20-30 reps. Don’t forget to switch sides and repeat.
2. Walk Ins and Outs
Starting from yoga standing forward bend, keeping your feet planted in the ground, walk your hands out in small steps with your core engaged keeping your back from bending. The key to getting the full effectiveness is to walk your hands out slightly further than under your shoulders–the core needs to work extra hard to stabilize your body from this position. Then walk your hands back in. Repeat for 20-30 reps.
3. Reach Arounds
From side plank, reach around the front of your body and under your bottom oblique then back up toward the ceiling for a full extension. Repeat for 20-30 reps.
Repeat this series 3 times for the full burn.
Also linked up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday!
What is your favorite way to work your core?
Do core exercises play a part in your race training?
Linkup below if you have a workout, fitness find or healthy recipe to share! Just make sure to link back or grab the badge and we will make sure to spread the inspiration around 🙂
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Great routine! I’m a huge fan of plank variations, so I need to try this! Thanks for the linkup!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Caprese Wheat Berry Salad
Everything I do is from a plank! Thanks for reading!
I forgot about the reach arounds! I like those and will add them in today.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Will Run For Chocolate-What Do You Run For?
I LOVE reach arounds. Once I discovered them I can’t stop!
Oooo love these moves! I’ll have to work these in to my next strength training day 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…10-Minute Bodyweight Arm & Shoulder Workout
Thanks Nicole!
Hooray for cruchless core exercises! Those are my fav way to make my abs feel the burn 🙂
Annmarie recently posted…Top 3 Pilates Moves For Runners, Guest Post from Erica Finds
Yes! And I love the secondary shoulder burn from the plank position!!
Great post! I encourage people to do “crunchless abs” all of the time and when I am working with a new client, they look at me like I am crazy when we don’t do crunches. There are so many better and more functional ways to work the core than “head butting” your crotch 🙂
Christine recently posted…Recovery Smoothie
Totally agree! I haven’t done a crunch in years!
These moves look awesome! I don’t think I’ve ever done these exact core exercises.. similar variations though. Saving this so I can find it for my next workout!
Amanda recently posted…Workout Wednesday – Speed Workout!
Thanks!!
I love crunchless core work. I use the walk ins and outs all the time (and often add in a push-up) with clients. I have several clients with back issues so I’ve really had to expand on crunchless core work. It’s so important!
Erin@BeetsPerMinute recently posted…Abroad City: An American Living in Glasgow #7
Crunchless core work really works the entire body too, so it’s sooo effective all around! Thanks for reading!
I think I must have been neglecting my core as I just tried these and had a hell of a time! I’m still working on the basic plank 🙂
Felicity @ Lemonade Wise recently posted…Robin Quivers’ 70Lb Weight Loss With The Lemonade Diet
Stay consistent! Thanks for reading!
You aren’t kidding that the core is always a work in progress! I like stability ball tucks!
Yes! I don’t have a stability ball anymore, but those are great!