Three standing ab exercises, favored as plank alternatives, for a stronger core, recommended by a fitness trainer specializing in strength.

Standing ab exercises are a versatile and effective way to strengthen your core, improve posture, and boost your overall fitness. These exercises, which can be performed at home or incorporated into a gym routine, offer numerous benefits for your body.

A simple kettlebell can help add resistance to these exercises, providing more flexibility with movement. Kettlebells, with their unique handle, offer a greater range of motion compared to traditional weights. Standing ab exercises are not only versatile but can be added to a variety of workouts, including treadmill sessions and traditional weight training.

One popular standing ab exercise is the standing side crunch. To perform this move, drive your right knee up towards your right elbow while crunching through the side of your waist. Lower back down and repeat on the same side or alternate sides. For a more challenging version, hold a light dumbbell or small ball overhead as you bring your elbow and knee together.

Alternatives to standing side crunches include shoulder taps and leg raises, which also help fire up the obliques and lower core muscles. Another beneficial exercise is the standing side bend, which directly targets the obliques, improves side-to-side movement, and supports better posture and spinal alignment.

Standing ab exercises are a brilliant alternative for anyone who struggles with a plank. They are also easier on the wrists, shoulders, and lower back compared to traditional floor-based exercises. Moreover, they are easier to make harder with equipment like cables, resistance bands, dumbbells, or kettlebells compared to planks.

Kate Rowe-Ham, a certified personal trainer, recommends standing ab exercises as effective core exercises to do at home. These exercises can be included in a dumbbell core workout or a bodyweight workout for beginners, depending on one's fitness levels.

One of the most popular standing leg exercises by Kate Rowe-Ham includes lunges, squats, and single-leg deadlifts. However, standing ab exercises can also provide a cardio boost alongside core strengthening, making them a functional fitness exercise that closely mirrors everyday movements.

Standing ab exercises boost strength in the trunk and have benefits for the entire body. They improve posture, balance, and even contribute to longevity by mimicking everyday movements. For those with existing discomfort in the lower back, wrists, or shoulders, standing ab exercises are a great alternative.

Lastly, the standing wood chop is a full-core move that mimics everyday movements and builds rotational strength. This exercise targets the deep core muscles and teaches the body to generate and control force, making it an excellent addition to any standing ab workout.

Three standing ab exercises, favored as plank alternatives, for a stronger core, recommended by a fitness trainer specializing in strength.