With so many variations out there, it can be challenging to understand what functional core training truly is. But the key is to redirect your focus away from a specific set of exercises and towards ...

Head to nearly any packed gym, and you’ll probably see at least one woman working on her core. Maybe she’s whipping out some bicycle crunches, or holding still in an impressively-long plank. There are ...

Core strength is important: We use it when we carry a bag of groceries, get up from the floor, push open a door, or punch a punching bag. But too often, we think of “core” training as something done ...

The exercise in speaking is what’s called a ‘suitcase carry’. It involves walking with a single kettlebell held to one side of your body – just as you would carry a suitcase, hence the name. As well ...

Body-weight exercises include push-ups, squats, planks, and walking lunges. They are helpful for building functional strength ...

When most people think of a strong core or achieving abs, the first exercise that comes to mind is often sit-ups. While sit-ups have long been a go-to for strengthening the core, they're not always ...

A few weeks ago I found myself in a bit of a huff and ranting to a colleague, as my deadlift progress had come to a sudden halt and my lower back was in pain. His blunt response: “Your core clearly ...

Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. Sit-ups are one of the most basic forms of core ...