The best core strength exercises can help you get flat toned abs and a smaller waist, improve posture, boost energy levels, reduce cravings, prevent back injuries, boost workout and sports performance and so much more. The simple truth about your core and how to get started with a core ab workout that works for your body.

What Is Your Core Anyway
The core includes the obvious ab muscles that everybody always targets: Rectus Abdominis (the 6 pack muscles), External and Internal Obliques as well as the Transversus Abdominis (your body's natural corset muscle) but that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your core.

Your core is also houses your Serratus Anterior, Psoas, plus all your back muscles including your Trapezius, Serratus Posterior, Lattissimus Dorsi, Erector Spinae PLUS two very tiny but important muscles the Quadratus Lumborum(QLO for short) and Multifidus. You don't need to understand how all these complex muscles work together to appreciate that your body requires a more dynamic core ab workout routine to build a strong, functional and attractive middle. The reality is that laying on the floor and doing endless crunch variations just doesn't work for most people and there are dozens of studies that have found plank style exercises work best but how do you get started with something that's right for your body?

What's The Best Core Ab Workout
Want to know THE #1 question that women ask in the gym and at my fat loss workouts site that gets well over 100,000 visitors each month? "What is the best ab workout to burn ab fat, get flat toned abs, and sculpt a sexy waistline?" This is THE most common question and it's also the most complicated to answer because generally if a person is healthy and fit all they need to do is eat lean foods and focus on super dynamic ab and core exercises like the ones featured in my core ab workout video.

Getting flat sexy abs that are also functional is actually fairly simple if you're not struggling with serious core issues. But what If you are dealing with postural imbalances, back pain, stubborn fat due to hormonal imbalances or just a very weak dysfunctional core?

When to Start With Restorative Core Workouts
A restorative core strength workout like the one you see in the video below is a much better starting point for people who are really struggling with "poochy" abs that are often the result of a dysfunctional core. There are actually many forms of core dysfunction. The most common these days is a TVA that isn't firing properly which is like wearing a corset with busted laces. Your abs just protrude and this is often accompanied by back pain, low energy levels, sugar cravings and hormonal imbalances too.

Another common core dysfunction is a broken flexor chain from rectus abdominis over-training and psoas and/or cervical flexor under-training. This happens when people constantly do crunch type ab work while supporting or pulling their head forward which leads to severe postural imbalances that allow your abs to just spill forward and the harder you train your abs the worst it gets. It is most often accompanied by neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, respiratory stress, anxiety, insomnia, and endurance issues.

If you suspect that your core is not fully functional be sure to dedicate at least 2-3 months to functional core workouts like the one in my video here before moving on to more challenging core strengthening exercises. As my Scientific Core Conditioning teacher Paul Chek says, "training dysfunction = more dysfunction" so do what is right for your body right now then progress as you get stronger and healthier.

Got a healthy core and need help improving it? Try Exhale: Core Fusion Collection. Need to Restore Core Function? Try Firm & Flatten Your Abs by Core Conditioning Expert David Grisaffi. It includes self assessments and dozens of exercises to rehab your abs.