Once upon a time, core workouts were about sweating your way to a six-pack, but with the rise in popularity of functional training, the goal has become making everyday movements feel easy and a strong core is an essential part of this. Every time you pick something up, twist or walk, your core is engaged to keep you stable.

“Core strength is important for every aspect of life,” says Jaleel Trotty, a certified trainer for Planet Fitness . “It is the center of everything we do, and not just the center of the body.”

Trotty told me that it is not necessary to lift weights to develop a strong core, but it will speed up your progress and strengthen the area faster than if you were to just rely on your own bodyweight. You may like

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