10 simple exercises to do to strengthen your core 

More often than not, you come across photos or videos of women flaunting their midriffs with cropped tops on social media, showing off abs that look effortlessly chiselled. It’s easy to wonder, how do they make it look so simple? But here’s the thing: those enviable abs are just the surface. A strong core is so much more than aesthetics—it’s about building strength, balance, and stability that supports every movement, whether you’re working out or just going about your day.

What those photos don’t show are the hours spent on functional fitness—planks, twists, and endless other core-strengthening moves—that make those abs possible. It’s not just about looking great; it’s about feeling powerful, improving posture, and moving through life with confidence and ease.

That being said, if your goal is to get defined abs or to strengthen your core muscles to help you with your everyday tasks, you can do simple exercises at the gym or even at home to build these muscles. Some of these easy exercises that you can do on your own include the following:

1. Planks

A plank is a straightforward exercise that doesn’t just build your core but also strengthens your lower and upper body. It’s a full-body exercise that requires you to stay in a press-up position on your forearms. The key is to make sure that your back is straight (not arched!), while engaging your abs and glutes, without allowing your hips to sag. Start with a 30-second plank, and slowly progress with a longer set to build your core muscles.

2. Scissor Kicks

Scissor kicks are a supine core exercise that involves having both feet slightly above the ground while you’re lying on the floor, and lowering one leg toward the floor at a time while the other stays up in the air. This is a great exercise as it works your core stabilisers and it’s in a position that’s safe for your lower back.

3. Glute Bridges

The glute bridge is another popular exercise to build your core. Start by lying on the floor with your knees bent and feet planted firmly on the floor. Then, slowly press through your heels to lift your hips as high as possible, and pause at the top, all while activating your glutes and your core, before lowering it back down to the starting position.

4. Russian Twists

Grab a weight plate, a dumbbell or a kettlebell for this exercise. For this exercise, you’ll want to sit with your knees bent and your feet away from your butt. Then, with both hands, grab onto your weight and slowly twist from right to left, making sure to engage your core. After rotating across both sides, return to the centre to complete your first rep.

5. Hanging Leg Raises

If you have a pull up bar at home or even at the gym, try this exercise. All you have to do is to cling on to the bar, and lower yourself into a dead hang. Then, straighten your legs and pull your pelvis back slightly. Once that’s done, engage your core and raise your legs until they are perpendicular to your torso. Hold that position and slowly lower it down.

6. Mountain Climbers

Many often rush through their workouts, but the key to ensuring that you have an efficient workout is to slow down your pace especially for exercises like mountain climbers. In a high plank position with both hands and feet on the ground, slowly, bring one knee towards your chest and twist it to meet the opposite elbow. Then return to your starting position and do the same for the other knee. Remember to perform this exercise slowly and under control to fully engage your core muscles.

7. Bicycle Crunches

Bicycle crunches are a good way to fully engage your core muscles. Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Then, with your hands behind your head, use your core to lift your left shoulder blade off the ground and bring your right knee to meet your left elbow. With your right knee bent, straighten your left leg and reach it in front of you at a 45-degree angle. Continue doing the same for the other side and that will be one rep.

8. Wall Sit

If you’re at home and you’re feeling a little restless while you binge on your favourite shows, try doing a wall sit. While it may seem really simple, you’ll definitely feel the burn after a few sets. You can easily do this exercise by finding a flat wall and leaning your back against it. Then, squat at a 90-degree angle and hold that position for as long as you can.

9. Sit Ups

Sit ups are a pretty basic exercise that you can easily do in your own free time. Start by lying on your back with your knees benty and your feet flat on the ground. Then, put your hands behind your head and squeeze your core to slowly lift yourself off the ground. If you’re working out with your friend, he/she can help to hold your feet down while you do your set, or if you’re working out alone, you can try doing the frog sit-up.

10. Frog Sit-Ups

As mentioned previously, frog sit-ups can easily be done on your own. To do so, lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet together so it forms a diamond-like shape. Then, brace your core, and slowly lift your upper body, bringing your hands forward to touch the floor in front of you. Once that’s done, slowly lower your torso back to your starting position and repeat.