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.

Sable Low Seated Row

The Sable Low Seated Row is a powerful exercise that targets the development of your back muscles, with a special focus on the mid-back. This exercise offers a unique combination of muscle isolation and functional strength, ideal for improving your posture and strengthening your core. Execution

Scaption

De scaption is een oefening die zich vooral richt op de spieren stabiliserende spieren rondom het schoudergewricht. Behalve de voorste kop van de schouderspiere...

Scapula Push-Up

The Scapula Push-Up is a unique exercise that focuses on stabilizing your shoulder blades, which is essential for a strong upper back and shoulders. This exercise helps improve your posture and strengthens the muscles around your shoulder blades without requiring much equipment. Execution Begin

Seal Jacks

Introduction: Seal jacks are a dynamic exercise similar to traditional jumping jacks, but with a focus on opening and closing the arms in front of your chest. This exercise is excellent for improving your coordination and raising your heart rate. Execution: Start with your feet together and your ar

Seated Alternating Dumbbell Front Raise

If you're looking for an effective way to strengthen your shoulders, the Seated Alternating Dumbbell Front Raise is an excellent choice. This exercise targets not only the front of your shoulders but also improves your posture and stability. Execution Find a comfortable chair and sit with your f

Seated Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curls

Seated alternating dumbbell hammer curls are an effective exercise for building strength and mass in your arms. This variation emphasizes the biceps and forearm muscles in a way that differs from traditional curling movements. Execution Find a comfortable chair and sit down with a dumbbell in ea

Seated Alternating Dumbbell Press

The Seated Alternating Dumbbell Press is an effective exercise for strengthening your shoulders and arms. The alternating movement not only stimulates muscle growth but also improves your balance and coordination. Execution Find a bench and sit upright with a dumbbell in each hand. Keep your fee

Seated Barbell Military Press

The Seated Barbell Military Press is an effective strength exercise that targets your upper body, particularly the shoulders and arms. This exercise is unique because it helps you build a strong, stable shoulder girdle while also improving your posture. Execution Sit on a bench with an upright

Seated Barbell Shoulder Press

The shoulder press is an exercise that works all three heads of the deltoid (but not to the same extent). This is the deltoid-shaped muscle responsible for raising the upper arm. The pectoralis major assists in raising the arms. This is especially true of the fibers that run from the clavicle to the

Seated Barbell Shoulder Press

The seated barbell shoulder press is a powerful exercise that focuses on strengthening your shoulders and upper body. This exercise offers unique benefits, such as improving your posture and increasing your overall strength. Execution Sit upright on a bench with a backrest and place your feet fi

Seated Cable Row V-Bar Machine

The Seated Cable Row with a V-bar is a powerful exercise that targets the development of your back muscles. This exercise offers a unique combination of strength and control, providing deep muscle activation that contributes to a strong and well-defined back. Execution Adjust the machine seat an

Seated Dumbbell Calf Raises on Knees

Seated dumbbell calf raises on your knees are an effective exercise for strengthening and defining the calf muscles. This variation offers a unique way to specifically train the calf muscles using readily available weights. Execution Find a sturdy chair and sit down with your feet flat on the fl

Seated Dumbbell Front Raise

Front raises primarily emphasize the anterior head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). The pectoralis major assists in raising the arms. In particular, the fibers that run from the clavicle to the upper arm, also known as the 'upper chest'. In addition to the deltoid itself, various muscles around the

Seated Dumbbell Front Raise

The Seated Dumbbell Front Raise is an effective exercise for strengthening and toning your shoulders. This exercise is unique because it targets the anterior deltoids, contributing to better posture and shoulder stability. Execution Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the floor, approximately

Seated Dumbbell Front Raises

If you're looking for an effective way to train your shoulders, seated dumbbell front raises are an excellent choice. This exercise specifically targets the front of your shoulders, but it also benefits your upper back and arms, making it a versatile addition to your training routine. Execution

Seated Dumbbell Front Raises

Want to strengthen and shape your shoulders? Try Seated Dumbbell Front Raises. This exercise is ideal for isolating the front of your shoulders, and because you are seated, it reduces the chance of cheating with momentum, which often occurs with standing variations. Execution: Sit on a bench wit

Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raise

Lateral raises (also called side raises) are primarily performed to place greater emphasis on the middle head of the deltoid (shoulder muscle). In addition to the large shoulder muscle itself, various muscles around the shoulder joint are recruited to stabilize it. Smaller stabilizing muscles such a

Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raises with Swing

Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raises with Swing is an effective exercise for strengthening and defining your shoulder muscles. This variation adds a dynamic element to the traditional lateral raise, so you not only isolate your muscles but also improve your coordination and stability. Execution Sit on

Seated Dumbbell One-Arm Shoulder Press

If you are looking for an effective way to train your shoulders, the Seated Dumbbell One-Arm Shoulder Press is an excellent choice. This exercise targets the shoulder muscles with a unique focus on each arm individually, promoting balanced muscle development and the ability to reduce any strength di

Seated Dumbbell Punch

If you're looking for an effective way to train your upper body, the Seated Dumbbell Punch is an excellent choice. This exercise combines strength training with elements of boxing, making it not only a great workout for your muscles but also for your cardiovascular system. Instructions Find a co

Seated Dumbbell Rear Delt Fly

If you are looking for an effective exercise to strengthen your shoulders and upper back, the Seated Dumbbell Rear Delt Fly is an excellent choice. This exercise specifically targets the backs of your shoulders and helps improve your posture and shoulder stability. Execution Find a bench and sit

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press

The dumbbell shoulder press trains all areas of the shoulders: the anterior, lateral, and posterior deltoids. The exercise can be performed either seated or standing. The execution is largely the same. Sit upright with your back against the bench backrest and place your feet shoulder-width apart. Pr

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press

The Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press is an effective exercise for strengthening your shoulders and upper body. This exercise offers a unique combination of stability and strength training, contributing to better posture and functional strength. Execution Find a bench and sit upright with your feet

Seated Elbows-In Alternating Dumbbell Overhead Press

The Seated Elbows-In Alternating Dumbbell Overhead Press is a dynamic exercise that focuses on strengthening your shoulders and arms while also promoting core stability. This exercise offers a unique twist on the traditional overhead press by emphasizing an alternating movement, helping to create ba