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Core Exercises for Trunk Strength and Control

Explore core exercises using bodyweight, cables, and weights, with practical technique tips and guidance for building trunk control safely.

Core exercises train the muscles around your trunk, including the abdominals, lower back, and hips. They appear in strength training, conditioning, and functional movement practice.

What are core exercises?

This category includes movements that stabilize, flex, rotate, or load the trunk under control. Examples include planks, dead bugs, sit-ups, carries, and drills using cables or a medicine ball. The demands vary: some exercises emphasize endurance, while others focus more on strength, coordination, or resistance to movement.

Practical training guidance

Keep your ribcage and pelvis controlled and avoid using momentum to complete a repetition. Select a variation you can perform with consistent technique, then increase resistance gradually when using weights, cables, or a medicine ball. Stop if you feel sharp pain and seek qualified coaching if you are unsure about your form.

1.225 exercises

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Dumbbell Chest Press on Floor

Dumbbell Chest Press on Floor

The dumbbell chest press on the floor is an effective strength exercise that targets the chest muscles, triceps, and shoulders. This variation of the traditional bench press offers a way to train your chest muscles without using a bench, making it ideal for home workouts or when limited equipment is

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Chest-Supported Row

Dumbbell Chest-Supported Row

The Dumbbell Chest-Supported Row is an effective exercise for strengthening your back muscles while also training your shoulders and biceps. This exercise is unique because using a bench relieves the lower back and allows you to focus entirely on your back muscles. Execution Find a flat bench

Back Strength Training
Dumbbell Close-Grip Shoulder Press Sit-Up

Dumbbell Close-Grip Shoulder Press Sit-Up

Looking for an exercise that strengthens both your shoulders and core? Try the Dumbbell Close-Grip Shoulder Press Sit-Up. This exercise combines the benefits of a shoulder press with the intensity of a sit-up, giving you a double dose of strength and stability. Execution Begin seated on the floor

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Cossack Squats (Version 2)

Dumbbell Cossack Squats (Version 2)

The Dumbbell Cossack Squat is a dynamic exercise that combines flexibility, strength, and balance. This dumbbell variation adds an extra challenge to your lower-body workout while also engaging your core and stabilizers. Execution Begin by holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides. Stand w

Quads Strength Training
Dumbbell Crawl

Dumbbell Crawl

The Dumbbell Crawl is a dynamic exercise that not only builds strength but also improves coordination and stability. By combining movement and lifting, it offers a unique challenge that engages both your upper and lower body. Execution Start in a push-up position with a dumbbell in each hand.

Full-body training Strength Training
Dumbbell Crunch Hold With Legs Off

Dumbbell Crunch Hold With Legs Off

The Dumbbell Crunch Hold with Legs Off is a powerful exercise that targets your core while also promoting stability and strength in your lower body. This exercise combines the intensity of a traditional crunch with the additional weight of a dumbbell, making your abdominal muscles work harder. The u

Abs Strength Training
Dumbbell Crush Press - Squeeze Press

Dumbbell Crush Press - Squeeze Press

Introduction: The Dumbbell Crush Press, also known as the Squeeze Press, is a powerful chest exercise that focuses on intensely squeezing the chest muscles. This exercise is unique because it not only activates the chest muscles but also engages the triceps and shoulders in a distinctive way through

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Cuban Press (Version 2)

Dumbbell Cuban Press (Version 2)

The Dumbbell Cuban Press is a versatile exercise that targets not only your shoulders, but also your upper back and arms. This exercise combines an upright row with a press, making it an excellent choice for developing upper-body strength and stability. Execution Begin by holding the dumbbells

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Curtsy Lunge

Dumbbell Curtsy Lunge

If you're looking for a dynamic exercise that challenges both your lower body and balance, the Dumbbell Curtsy Lunge is an excellent choice. This exercise adds an elegant twist to the traditional lunge, training not only your legs and glutes but also improving your core stability. Execution Begi

Glutes Strength Training
Dumbbell Deadlift

Dumbbell Deadlift

The deadlift is also known as the king of all exercises. Looking at the list of muscles involved above, you can infer why. The calf muscles bring the lower legs, which extend forward, back into alignment above the ankles when you stand up and also provide stability throughout the entire movement. T

Quads CrossFit
Dumbbell Decline Alternating Bench Press

Dumbbell Decline Alternating Bench Press

Introduction The Dumbbell Decline Alternating Bench Press is a variation of the traditional bench press that focuses on strengthening your chest muscles, with an additional focus on the lower chest. By pressing alternately, you also improve muscle coordination and balance between both sides of your

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Decline Bench Press

Dumbbell Decline Bench Press

Introduction The Dumbbell Decline Bench Press is a powerful exercise aimed at strengthening your chest muscles, with a unique focus on the lower chest. This variation of the traditional bench press offers a new challenge and stimulus for your muscles, which can lead to improved muscle definition and

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Decline Fly

Dumbbell Decline Fly

So-called fly exercises are popular exercises for isolating the chest muscles as much as possible. The primary function during this exercise is pulling the upper arms forward using the pectoralis major. Because the arms maintain the same curvature throughout the movement, the triceps are required mu

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Diagonal Chop

Dumbbell Diagonal Chop

The Dumbbell Diagonal Chop is a dynamic exercise that combines strength, flexibility, and coordination. This exercise focuses on improving your core stability while also engaging other major muscle groups. What makes this exercise unique is that it challenges both your upper and lower body, making i

Abs Strength Training
Dumbbell Diagonal Lift

Dumbbell Diagonal Lift

If you are looking for an exercise that challenges both your upper and lower body, the Dumbbell Diagonal Lift is an excellent choice. This exercise offers a unique combination of strength training and coordination, allowing you to train multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Execution Begin by s

Shoulders CrossFit
Dumbbell External Shoulder Rotation

Dumbbell External Shoulder Rotation

Cable shoulder external rotations target the muscles that rotate the upper arms outward. In addition to the posterior head of the deltoids themselves, these include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. This makes it an exercise that focuses more on mobility, injury prevention, and reh

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Face Down Lying Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Face Down Lying Shoulder Press

Introduction The Dumbbell Face Down Lying Shoulder Press is an effective exercise that targets the shoulder muscles with a unique twist. Unlike traditional shoulder exercises, you perform this exercise lying face down. This provides an isolated shoulder workout with less pressure on your back. Exec

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Farmer Walk

Dumbbell Farmer Walk

The Dumbbell Farmer Walk is a simple yet highly effective exercise that can significantly improve your strength, endurance, and grip. This exercise simulates carrying heavy loads over a certain distance, something that regularly occurs in everyday life. Execution Begin by selecting a pair of dum

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Farmers Walk

Dumbbell Farmers Walk

The Dumbbell Farmers Walk is a simple yet effective strength exercise that helps improve your grip strength, balance, and overall body strength. It simulates carrying heavy loads over a certain distance, which is particularly practical for everyday activities. Execution Hold a dumbbell in each

Forearms Strength Training
Dumbbell Floor Press

Dumbbell Floor Press

Introduction: The dumbbell floor press is an effective strength exercise that targets the chest muscles, triceps, and shoulders. This exercise is an excellent choice if you have limited access to a bench or want to emphasize stability and control. Execution: Begin by lying on your back on the floor

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Fly on Step

Dumbbell Fly on Step

Introduction: The Dumbbell Fly on Step is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining your chest muscles. Performing this exercise on a step increases the intensity and improves your body's stability and balance. Execution: Begin by selecting a pair of dumbbells suitable for your strength

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Flyes

Dumbbell Flyes

Dumbbell flyes are an effective exercise for isolating and strengthening the chest muscles. This exercise not only helps build muscle mass but also improves shoulder flexibility. Execution Lie on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Hold the dumbbells above your chest with a slight bend

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Flyes - Floor

Dumbbell Flyes - Floor

Introduction: Dumbbell Flyes on the floor is an effective exercise for isolating and strengthening your chest muscles. This variation, performed on the floor, limits the range of motion, which reduces pressure on your shoulders and increases focus on the chest muscles. Execution: Begin by lying on

Chest Strength Training
Dumbbell Frog Pumps

Dumbbell Frog Pumps

Want to train your glutes in a unique way? Try Dumbbell Frog Pumps. This exercise is a variation of the well-known glute bridge, but the specific position of your legs places more emphasis on the inner part of your glutes. Execution Lie on your back with a dumbbell placed on your lower abdomen. Pla

Glutes Strength Training