Standing core exercises are an effective way to hit your midline in different ways. Check out some of the best movements you can do.
Why would you want to do standing core exercises? For one, it is something different and monotony can be a real problem when it comes to getting fitter. Also, for some people with difficulties laying on the floor on their pelvis, due to an accident, surgery or something else, standing core exercises are useful so that you don’t neglect your midline.
That being said, there is one truth you must know about standing core exercises. They are not as effective as other traditional ab workouts because of gravity. The effects of gravity on your weight actually help you perform the movement, instead of adding resistance.
Looking through that scope, if crunches are difficult for you, which is a reality for obese people, standing core exercises will help tremendously.
Standing core exercises will also target more muscle groups such as your back and your hips, whether a normal crunch will only hit your rectus abdominis.
Check out 6 of the best standing core exercises you can do to target your abs.
Standing Core Exercises
1. Standing Bicycle Crunches
The standing bicycle mimics the bicycle crunches you would normally do on the floor, but this time standing upright.
It promotes the development of a functional body, burns more calories than regular bicycle crunches and it provides less tension on your neck or lower back.
2. Squat with Bicycle Crunch
The squat with bicycle crunch is another great example of standing core exercises. It takes the bicycle exercise you’ve seen above and adds a squat in between each rep, adding a layer of the lower body to the movement.
This exercise burns even more calories than regular bicycle crunches or the standing bicycle crunches.
Related: How to Lose Belly Fat Without Counting Calories
3. Overhead Circle / Halo
The overhead circle, often known as halo, is a core exercise that needs a dumbbell, a kettlebell, or any other weight you can easily lift above your head.
The overhead circle will not only work on your core, especially the rotation function of your abs but also your shoulders, triceps and upper back.
4. Reverse Chop
This is arguably the best of our list of standing core exercises if you are looking to target your obliques.
Source: Damir Spanic on UnplashYou will also need gym equipment to perform this exercise. You can do it with a dumbbell, resistance bands, or utilising a cable machine.
The rotation of the exercise will focus on your obliques, but you will also feel your back, hips, and shoulders activated.
5. Standing Oblique Bends / Weighted Standing Side Bend
The 5th on our list of standing core exercises targets only the obliques. To do the standing oblique bend you will need a dumbbell, however, it is possible to perform the exercise with resistance bands.
6. Med Ball Slam
You did not expect to see a med ball slam in this list, did you? Well, the med ball slam is the compound movement that targets the most muscles of all other exercises in our list.
By engaging your core throughout the exercise, the med ball slam becomes a great exercise for your abs. Add to that your shoulders, triceps, back, glutes, hamstrings, quads and the fact that you will sweat a lot during the exercise, it becomes one of the best bang for your buck.
Read More: Top Functional Bodybuilding Abs Exercises to Build Unstoppable Core Strength
