She Strengthens

Revolutionize Your Core Workout: 18 Effective Standing Exercises

Are you tired of the same old crunches and planks? Look no further! Standing core exercises are a game-changer, targeting your entire core without requiring you to hit the floor. Your core muscles wrap around your body, from your six-pack abs to your obliques and spine-stabilizing muscles. By incorporating standing exercises into your routine, you’ll engage these muscles in a more functional and effective way.

The Best Standing Abs Exercises

1. Standing March with Twist: Slow, high knees with a twist, engaging your obliques and core.
2. Wide Second Side Crunch: A squat-based exercise that targets your obliques and glutes.
3. Standing Stabilization: Rotating your upper body while keeping your arms straight, engaging your core and shoulders.
4. Woodchop: A dynamic exercise that works your core, obliques, and legs.
5. Standing Side Bend with Dumbbells: A challenging exercise that targets your obliques and core.
6. Standing Side Bend with Dumbbells Overhead: A variation that adds an extra layer of difficulty.
7. Standing Side Crunch: A goalpost-position exercise that engages your core and obliques.
8. Standing Crossover Toe Touch: A dynamic exercise that targets your core, legs, and glutes.
9. Single-Leg Sprint: A plyometric exercise that engages your core, legs, and glutes.
10. Chair Pose with a Twist: A yoga-inspired exercise that targets your core, obliques, and legs.
11. Standing Twist: A rotational exercise that engages your core, obliques, and shoulders.
12. Overhead Circle: A dynamic exercise that targets your core, shoulders, and arms.
13. Standing Toe Touch: A simple yet effective exercise that engages your core and legs.
14. Resistance Band Woodchop: A variation of the woodchop exercise using a resistance band.
15. Resistance Band Pallof Press: A rotational exercise that targets your core, obliques, and shoulders.
16. TRX Hip Drop: A suspension-based exercise that targets your core, obliques, and legs.
17. TRX Standing Elbow Plank: A challenging exercise that engages your core, shoulders, and arms.
18. Kettlebell Around the World: A dynamic exercise that targets your core, obliques, and legs.

How to Build a Standing Ab Exercise Routine

• Add 2-3 standing ab exercises to your cardio or strength routine.
• Create a HIIT workout with circuits of 5-7 exercises.
• Create a Tabata workout of 4 exercises.
• Mix and match exercises to keep your workouts fresh and exciting.

Benefits of Standing Abs Exercises

• More variety in your workout routine
• Avoid lying on the floor, which can be beneficial for those with mobility issues or concerns about floor cleanliness
• Works different muscles, including the transverse plane, which is essential for running efficiency and shoulder strength
• Suitable for individuals with blood pressure concerns, circulatory issues, or mobility issues

Who Should Avoid Standing Ab Exercises?

• Individuals with injuries that may be aggravated by standing ab exercises, such as low back, hip flexor, neck, or shoulder injuries.

The Bottom Line

Standing core exercises offer a refreshing change to traditional crunches and planks. By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you’ll engage your entire core in a more functional and effective way. So, ditch the floor and take your core workout to the next level!