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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

Core Clear filter
Dumbbell Rear Full Shrugs

Dumbbell Rear Full Shrugs

Dumbbell Rear Full Shrugs are an excellent exercise for strengthening the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. This exercise is unique because it targets the rear shoulders and trapezius, which are often overlooked in traditional training programs. Execution Stand with your feet shoulder-wi

Traps Strength Training
Dumbbell Rear Lateral Raise

Dumbbell Rear Lateral Raise

The Dumbbell Rear Lateral Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles in your upper back and shoulders. This exercise not only helps build muscle mass but also improves your posture and stability. Execution Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbel

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Rear Lunge

Dumbbell Rear Lunge

The Dumbbell Rear Lunge is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening and toning your lower body. Using dumbbells increases the intensity, leading to improved muscle definition and strength. Execution Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at you

Glutes Strength Training
Dumbbell Rear Lunge From Step

Dumbbell Rear Lunge From Step

Introduction The Dumbbell Rear Lunge from Step is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening and toning your lower body, with additional emphasis on balance and stability. Starting this exercise from an elevated surface increases the intensity and depth of the movement, providing unique benefi

Quads Strength Training
Dumbbell Renegade Row

Dumbbell Renegade Row

If you're looking for an exercise that improves both your strength and stability, the Dumbbell Renegade Row is an excellent choice. This exercise combines a plank with a rowing movement, training not only your back muscles but also your core, shoulders, and arms. Execution Begin in a plank posit

Traps CrossFit
Dumbbell Reverse Lunge

Dumbbell Reverse Lunge

Lunges could be considered single-leg squats. Like the squat, it is a compound exercise that involves multiple joints. However, during lunges, you hardly need to lean forward from the hips. The lower back and hamstrings therefore work relatively less hard, while more emphasis is placed on the quadri

Quads CrossFit
Dumbbell Reverse Lunge Pulses

Dumbbell Reverse Lunge Pulses

The Dumbbell Reverse Lunge Pulses is a dynamic exercise that combines strength and stability. By adding the pulse movement to the traditional reverse lunge, you increase the intensity and focus on the lower-body muscles. This exercise offers a unique way to tone your legs and glutes while also impro

Quads Strength Training
Dumbbell Reverse Lunges

Dumbbell Reverse Lunges

Dumbbell reverse lunges are a fantastic exercise for strengthening and toning your lower body. This variation of traditional lunges places more emphasis on your hamstrings and glutes, while also helping to improve your balance and coordination. Execution Hold a dumbbell in each hand and stand

Quads Strength Training
Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl

Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl

The Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl is a unique exercise that targets the biceps in a way you do not often encounter in traditional workouts. This exercise offers a new challenge and stimulus for your muscles, which can lead to better growth and development. Execution Start by setting an incline be

Biceps Strength Training
Dumbbell Rows Lying on Bench

Dumbbell Rows Lying on Bench

Introduction: Dumbbell Rows Lying on Bench is an effective exercise for strengthening your back muscles. This exercise offers a unique way to train each side of your back separately, which helps improve muscle balance and reduce the risk of injury. Execution: Begin by selecting an appropriate dumbb

Back Strength Training
Dumbbell Russian Twist

Dumbbell Russian Twist

The Dumbbell Russian Twist is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening your core, with particular emphasis on the oblique muscles. This exercise offers a unique combination of strength training and stabilization, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to strengthen their core and i

Obliques CrossFit
Dumbbell Scott Press

Dumbbell Scott Press

The Dumbbell Scott Press is an effective shoulder exercise that targets the development of the deltoid muscles. Named after legendary bodybuilder Larry Scott, this exercise offers a unique way to train your shoulders through a combination of movements that improve not only shoulder strength but also

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Scott Press (360 Degrees)

Dumbbell Scott Press (360 Degrees)

The Dumbbell Scott Press (360 Degrees) is a dynamic shoulder exercise that focuses on strengthening and toning your shoulder muscles through a unique movement. This exercise provides a full 360-degree rotation, creating an intense workout for the shoulder muscles from different angles. Execution

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Alternate Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Seated Alternate Shoulder Press

If you are looking for an effective way to train your shoulders, the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Shoulder Press is an excellent choice. This exercise not only provides a solid workout for your shoulders, but also improves your stability and coordination through the alternating aspect. Execution Fi

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Bench Extension

Dumbbell Seated Bench Extension

The Dumbbell Seated Bench Extension is an effective exercise for strengthening your triceps. This exercise offers a unique way to isolate your arms and focus on the triceps muscles, resulting in strong and well-defined arms. Execution Find a bench and sit down with a dumbbell in each hand. Hold

Triceps Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Calf Raise

Dumbbell Seated Calf Raise

If you are looking for an effective way to strengthen your calf muscles, the Dumbbell Seated Calf Raise is an excellent choice. This exercise specifically targets the calf muscles and offers a unique way to isolate and strengthen them from a seated position. Execution Find a bench or chair and s

Calves Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Curl

Dumbbell Seated Curl

The Dumbbell Seated Curl is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the biceps. Performing this exercise seated minimizes the chance of using your body weight to cheat, making your biceps work harder. This makes it an excellent choice for targeted muscle building. Execution Find a b

Biceps Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Hammer Curl

Dumbbell Seated Hammer Curl

The Dumbbell Seated Hammer Curl is an effective exercise for strengthening your biceps and forearms. This variation of the traditional biceps curl emphasizes the long head of the biceps and the brachialis, a deeper-lying muscle. What makes this exercise unique is the hammer grip, which provides more

Biceps Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Kickback

Dumbbell Seated Kickback

The Dumbbell Seated Kickback is an effective exercise for strengthening your triceps. This exercise offers a unique way to isolate and train the back of your upper arms, contributing to better definition and strength. Execution Find a bench and sit down with a dumbbell in each hand. Keep your ba

Triceps Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated on Exercise Ball Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Seated on Exercise Ball Shoulder Press

The Dumbbell Seated on Exercise Ball Shoulder Press is a dynamic exercise that not only strengthens your shoulders but also improves your core stability. Sitting on an exercise ball challenges your body to maintain balance, resulting in the active engagement of multiple muscle groups. Instructions

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Rear Delt Raise

Dumbbell Seated Rear Delt Raise

Introduction: The Dumbbell Seated Rear Delt Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening the rear of your shoulders and upper back. This exercise helps improve your posture and shoulder girdle stability. Execution: Begin by sitting on the edge of a bench, with a dumbbell in each hand. Hinge for

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Reverse-Grip Concentration Curl

Dumbbell Seated Reverse-Grip Concentration Curl

The Dumbbell Seated Reverse-Grip Concentration Curl is an effective exercise for strengthening and shaping your biceps. This variation of the traditional concentration curl emphasizes the forearms and biceps in a unique way thanks to the reverse grip. Execution Find a comfortable seated position

Biceps Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Shoulder Press with a Parallel Grip

Dumbbell Seated Shoulder Press with a Parallel Grip

The dumbbell seated shoulder press with a parallel grip is an effective exercise for strengthening your shoulders and upper body. This variation emphasizes shoulder stability and offers a unique approach compared with the traditional grip. Execution Find a bench and sit upright with a dumbbell i

Shoulders Strength Training
Dumbbell Seated Single-Leg Calf Raise with Hammer Grip

Dumbbell Seated Single-Leg Calf Raise with Hammer Grip

The Dumbbell Seated Single-Leg Calf Raise with Hammer Grip is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining your calf muscles. This exercise offers a unique way to train each calf individually, promoting balanced muscle development and improved muscle control. Execution Find a bench and s

Calves Strength Training