Strengthen your core and legs with targeted movements

Simple exercises to enhance flexibility, balance and lower body strength.

Start by keeping your hands grounded and stable, allowing your body to naturally find balance. As you lower your elbows toward the ground, avoid pushing your belly up to keep your abdominal muscles engaged without straining them. On the right side, your hand can shift to the floor, forming a right angle with your body. Keep your foot grounded while raising your left inner foot, placing the outer part on the floor. This opens your hips, releasing tension in your lower back. To deepen this stretch, reach behind you with your left hand, pulling gently to lift your foot and release the lower back further.

woman doing leg stretches

A great way to work your core and leg muscles is by incorporating a leg lift while maintaining your spine alignment. Begin by standing tall, feet firmly planted and bring your hands into a prayer pose. With your knees slightly bent, engage your core and sink down as if sitting in a chair. Inhale deeply, then exhale as you lift your right leg, bringing your foot up toward your head, reaching for your toes. This motion not only strengthens your legs but also stretches your hips and engages your core. Follow this by crossing your right leg over your left for an additional stretch.

As you continue the movement, place your right foot back down and lower your leg until your foot reaches waist level. Maintain control of your breathing and as you exhale, lift both knees and legs off the ground simultaneously. This helps build balance and strengthens your lower back muscles, which are key to maintaining stability. Exercises like this one, along with jumping rope, improve leg strength and core stability. When done regularly, jumping rope with a training jump rope offers an excellent cardio boost and enhances your coordination.

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Finally, to modify the exercise, you can perform a seated variation on a chair. Stand with your feet together or slightly apart, making sure they’re flat on the ground. With your hands on your thighs or behind your back, focus on keeping your core engaged as you move through the motions. This version is great for those looking to improve flexibility and build strength without putting strain on the lower back or knees. These small, controlled movements help you achieve better body awareness, setting the foundation for more advanced exercises.

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