All you need is a pair of light dumbbells and these four exercises for a stronger core

There are lots of equipment-free exercises you can use to train your core, like the simple plank and dead bug .

But it you want to increase the challenge to your muscles—without overtaxing them—you could add a little resistance.

Xanny Vargas, a certified trainer at Chuze Fitness , is a firm believer in the power of light dumbbells for strengthening the core. You may like

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All you need is 10 minutes and a pair of light dumbbells to strengthen and mobilize your upper body

“With the right focus, even very light dumbbells can challenge the front, sides, and back of your core,” she says.

I asked Vargas to share four key exe