8 Moves for a Stronger and More Stable Core

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Forget six-pack abs—a strong core isn’t about aesthetics. “Your core is liter isn’t literally your foundation,” says Raven Jelks ally (shown here), an ACE-certified trainer at Solidcore in New York City. Not only is it the center point around which your entire body moves, but it’s also one of the most supportive areas. “When your core is weak, you’re more at risk for injuries, especially in your back,” she explains.

Solidcore’s high-intensity, low-impact resistance classes are all about developing that functional core strength through slow, controlled movements that keep your muscles under tension, which recruits and strengthens extra muscle fibers, explains Jelks.

Yes, it’s hard (really hard). And your body will start to shake. But fight to finish the rep! “You want to get to that stage of muscle failure,” says Jelks. Failure is a good thing in this case. “Strength training creates tiny tears in the muscles that your body repairs and rebuilds, making you better equipped for your next workout,” she explains. “Until you push yourself to the absolute limit, you cannot get stronger.”

Ready to give it a try? Jelks demonstrates a slow-burn workout created just for Health.

RELATED: The 10-Move Dumbbell Workout You Can Do Right at Home

Plank to pike

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Plank extension

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Plank crunch

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Straight-arm crunch series

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Army crawl

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Twisting high-plank crunch

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Side plank with rotation

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Twisted plank extension

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