Abdominals/Obliques

• Abdominal Curl (primarily works the rectus abdominis)
  This simple exercise can be made to be more effective and functional if you keep your navel drawn in towards your spine the entire time so that the lower part of your abdominal wall doesn’t “pop up” during the exercise. This requires you to do it slowly but is also more challenging because it activates the deeper muscles of your abdominal wall.
• Oblique Curl (works the oblique muscles).The key to doing this exercise effectively is to keep your navel drawn in towards your spine and think of bringing your opposite shoulder and knee together rather than pulling on your neck and bringing your elbow to your knee.
• Single Straight Leg Raise (works the abdominal muscles)
• V-Sit (an advanced exercise working all of the core muscles)
• Seated Trunk Rotations (focuses on the obliques while also working other core muscles). This exercise can be done without any weight and can also be done while standing. When seated, if you experience any low back discomfort, make sure you aren’t leaning back too far and that you’re focusing on keeping your navel drawn in towards your spine.
• Standing Side Bend (focuses on the obliques while also working other core muscles)
• Plank (a great general exercise for core stabilization – works the abdominal muscles as well as the muscles along your spine). Also sometimes referred to as a Body Pillar or a Hover.
• Side Plank (another great stabilization exercise that works all the muscles of the trunk – with a focus on the oblique muscles; it also works the shoulders). Also sometimes referred to as a Side Pillar.

Low Back

• Seated Good Mornings with Dumbbell (works the muscles of the low back)
• Back Extension/Opposite Arm & Leg (works the muscles of the low back and those along your spine)
• Plank (a great general exercise for core stabilization – works the abdominal muscles as well as the muscles along your spine). Also sometimes referred to as a Body Pillar or a Hover