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.

Barbell Wrist Curl On Knees

The Barbell Wrist Curl On Knees is an effective exercise aimed at strengthening the forearms. This exercise is unique because it allows you to isolate your wrists and focus on the forearm flexors, which can lead to improved grip strength and wrist stability. Execution Begin by sitting on your

Barbell Zercher Squat

The squat is one of the best-known exercises for the legs. It is a compound, or multi-joint, exercise; an exercise that involves multiple joints and muscle groups. This is also evident from the long list of muscles involved, as mentioned above. There can be many differences in how the squat is perfo

Barbell Zercher Squat

The Barbell Zercher Squat is a powerful exercise that adds a unique twist to the traditional squat by placing the barbell in the crooks of your elbows. This technique not only provides a new challenge for your body, but also improves your posture and strengthens your core, upper back, and leg muscle

Bear Crawl

The Bear Crawl is a dynamic full-body exercise that improves strength, endurance, and coordination. It simulates the way a bear moves across the ground, creating a unique combination of strength training and cardio. Execution: Start on your hands and feet with your knees just above the ground.

Behind-the-Neck Lat Pulldown Machine

The Behind-the-Neck Lat Pulldown is an effective exercise for strengthening your upper back and shoulders. This variation of the traditional lat pulldown emphasizes the upper back muscles and the rear shoulders, making it an excellent choice for improving your posture and increasing upper-body stren

Behind-the-Neck Resistance Band Press

The behind-the-neck press with a resistance band is an exercise for strengthening the shoulders and upper back. This variation provides resistance that differs from free weights, challenging the muscles in a different way. Execution Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place the resista

Bench Alternating Step-Ups

Bench Alternating Step-Ups are a dynamic exercise that helps build strength and stability in your lower body. This exercise combines balance, coordination, and strength, making it an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Execution Find a sturdy bench or elevated surface that will not move

Bench Bulgarian Split Squat Left

The Bench Bulgarian Split Squat is a powerful exercise that targets strengthening and toning your lower body, with a special focus on your left leg. This exercise offers a unique combination of balance, strength, and flexibility, making it an excellent addition to your fitness routine. Execution

Bench Bulgarian Split Squat Right

The Bench Bulgarian Split Squat is a powerful exercise that focuses on improving your balance, lower-body strength, and stability. By placing one leg on a bench and performing the squat with the other leg, you challenge yourself in a unique way that not only strengthens your muscles but also improve

Bench Dip Hold

The Bench Dip Hold is a powerful exercise that targets your triceps, shoulders, and chest. This exercise is unique because holding the position at the end of the dip improves your stability and endurance. Execution Find a stable bench or platform where you can place your hands. Sit on the edge

Bench Press

The bench press, or “bench pressing,” is one of the most popular exercises in strength training. It is also one of the three powerlifting exercises (alongside the squat and deadlift). It is a compound exercise that engages several large muscle groups. The chest muscles and anterior shoulder muscles

Bench Press

The bench press is a classic strength exercise that focuses on strengthening your upper body. It is an effective way to build muscle mass and increase strength in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Execution Lie on your back on a flat bench and place your feet firmly on the floor. Grip the bar

Bench Pull-Ups

The Bench Pull-Up is an effective exercise that focuses on strengthening your upper body, with an emphasis on the back muscles. This exercise is unique because it offers an alternative to traditional pull-ups, making it more accessible for people who are still developing their upper-body strength.

Bent Knee Crunches

If you are looking for an effective way to strengthen your core, Bent Knee Crunches are an excellent choice. This exercise targets the abdominal muscles with a special focus on the upper abdominal region, making it an ideal addition to your fitness routine. Execution Lie on your back on a mat wi

Bent Over Rear Delt Raises

Introduction: Bent Over Rear Delt Raises are an effective exercise for strengthening the rear of your shoulders. This exercise also helps improve your posture and shoulder-girdle stability. Execution: Start with a pair of dumbbells and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slightly bend your k

Bent-Arm Chest Stretch

The Bent-Arm Chest Stretch is an effective exercise for stretching the chest muscles and improving shoulder flexibility. This stretch helps reduce muscle tension and may improve posture by opening the chest muscles, which is especially useful if you spend a lot of time at a desk. Instructions St

Bent-Arm Squat

The Bent-Arm Squat is a dynamic exercise that combines strength and flexibility. This exercise is unique because it challenges not only your lower body but also improves your upper-body and core stability. Execution Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your ar

Bent-Knee Back-to-Side Kick

De Bent-Knee Back-to-Side Kick is een dynamische oefening die zich richt op het versterken en tonen van je bilspieren en onderrug. Deze oefening combineert een achterwaartse trap met een zijwaartse trap, waardoor je niet alleen je spieren versterkt, maar ook je balans en coördinatie verbetert. Exec

Bent-Leg Side Kick (Kneeling)

The Bent-Leg Side Kick (Kneeling) is an effective exercise that targets the strengthening and toning of your glutes and hips while also improving core stability. This exercise is unique because it has a low impact but offers high effectiveness, especially for those who want to shape their lower body

Bent-Over Barbell Row

The bent-over barbell row is a powerful exercise that targets the upper back, shoulders, and biceps. It is an excellent way to build strength and muscle mass in your upper body while also improving core stability. Execution Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and grip the barbell with an o

Bent-Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Fly

The Bent-Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening the rear shoulders. In addition to targeting the deltoids, this exercise also engages the upper back and trapezius for a comprehensive upper-body workout. Execution Begin by picking up a pair of dumbbells and stand w

Bent-Over Rear Delt Fly with Resistance Band

The bent-over rear delt fly with a resistance band is an effective exercise for strengthening the rear shoulders. This exercise offers a unique way to use resistance, challenging your muscles differently than traditional weights. Execution Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place the

Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press with Resistance Band

The Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press with a resistance band is an effective exercise that targets both your biceps and shoulders. This combination exercise is ideal for a full-body workout and offers the unique benefits of improved muscle coordination and upper-body strength. Execution Stand with b

Biceps Push-Up

The Biceps Push-Up is a variation of the classic push-up that focuses more on the biceps. This exercise is ideal if you want to strengthen your upper arms while also working your chest and shoulders. Execution Begin in a standard push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-widt