That's Fit

When we hear about our core muscles, a number of fairly specific exercises come to mind. Chances are, your mind is shuffling through at least four or five of them right now. Well, if you really want to work your core, you might be better off skipping those exercises and instead focusing on two traditional weightlifting exercises: weighted squats and deadlifts.

Just in case you were wondering, no, the source of this information was not some musclehead magazine. In fact, it was actually Women's Health that pulled information from a recent study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

According to the article, weighted squats and deadlifts strengthen the core muscles 50 to 70 percent more than Swiss ball exercises. So, rather than always concerning yourself with "working your abs" -- as is if they were a separate entity, try working your entire body with these compound lifting movements.

In what, at first blush, actually looks more like a frozen stance than an exercise of any kind, the Plank is nonetheless a great technique to work your abdominal and lower back muscles (making up what is commonly referred to as your core).

Start by placing your body in a push-up position. If you are unable to hold steady with your hands, you can place your forearms flat on the floor beneath you. Then, your goal is to keep your body as straight as you can off the ground as you remain in this position for approximately 30 seconds. If you can't last for 30 seconds, try 20. If 20's a no-go, reach for 10 or 15. Soon enough you will build your core strength to a point where 30 seconds seems like child's play. Do at least 2 total sets of this exercise.

As stated, the Plank may not look like much, but mark my words: You'll feel it. Expect to feel tension in your midsection, arms, and back. And while it isn't exactly classified as an aerobic exercise, you will still feel a bit winded by the end of the determined amount of time you hold the position.