Close Ad ×

Muscle & Fitness logo Muscle & Fitness

  • Workouts

    Workouts

    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
    Find Exercises Targeting…
    • Abs and Core Exercises
    • Arm Exercises
    • Back Exercises
    • Chest Exercises
    • Leg Exercises
    • Shoulder Exercises
  • Nutrition

    Nutrition

    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
    Fit female holding a drink full of greens powder
    Healthy Eating

    Do You Really Need a Greens Powder in Your Life?

    The Blue Zone Butter Beans with Benne Seeds and Okra Recipe
    Healthy Eating

    Live to 100 With these Blue Zone Lifestyle Changes

    A bag full of healthy russet potato
    Healthy Eating

    Look to the Potato When it Comes to Losing Weight, Says Science

    Father and daughter baking heart shaped healthy dessert recipes for the holidays
    Healthy Eating

    These 3 Easy-to-Make Desserts Will Be a Holiday Party Hit

  • Athletes & Celebrities

    Athletes & Celebrities

    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
    Austin Theory wrestling
    Pro Tips

    Austin Theory is looking to make WWE history at the Royal Rumble

    WWE wrestler Karrion Kross with his wife Scarlett mocking his wrestling opponent
    Pro Tips

    Karrion Kross Talks About Raw’s 30th Anniversary

    Winter sports athletes on skiis and snowboards doing tricks on the ski slope
    Pro Tips

    Backcountry Winter Sports Are in Full Stride and on The Rise – Here’s Wh...

    gx pro inspired workouts from new gx app
    Interviews

    Former FSU Strength & Speed Coach on Programming: Be Flexible With Exerc...

  • Features

    Features

    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
    Fit young couple cold weather training in the winter wearing cold weather items
    Gear

    10 Cold Weather Items to Turn Up the Winter Workout Heat

    Nano x3
    Gear

    5 Reasons to step out with Reebok’s Nano X3 training shoe

    Arnold and Roger Lockridge performing a shrug exercise for week one of the arnold challenge
    Challenges

    Who Does 30 Sets of Calves in One Workout? I Do, Just Like Arnold

    Scotty James holding x games medal
    Gear

    Scotty James has his Gym Bag Ready to Hold X Games Gold

  • Anti-Aging

    Anti-Aging

    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
    White candle and white rose on a book
    Wellness

    World’s Oldest Known Person Dies At 118

    Doctor holding an apple with the continents imposed on it
    Wellness

    Research Shows That Most Heart Disease Deaths Are Preventable By Changin...

    Overweight couch potato sitting mindlessly watching tv
    Wellness

    American Couch Potato Syndrome?

    A scale with a measuring tape around it
    Functional Medicine

    Is Weight Loss With the New Injectable Meds Sustained? Not For Most

  • Flex

    Flex

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
    Olympia TV
    News

    Olympia Judge Breaks Down Why Hadi Choopan Won the Mr. Olympia

    2022 Women's Physique Olympia Winner
    News

    2022 Wellness Olympia Winner: Natalia Abraham Coelho

    Bodybuilder Chris Bumstead posing down against Ramon “Dino” Rocha Querioz at the Olympia 2022
    News

    Chris Bumstead Claims 4th Straight Classic Physique Olympia Title

    Top 3 2022 Bikini O Crown
    News

    Maureen Blanquisco Unseats Jennifer Dorie to Take The 2022 Bikini O Crow...

  • Hers

    Hers

    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
    Samantha Harris wearing yoga clothes and performing a yoga pose
    Hers Athletes & Celebrities

    Samantha Harris is Helping Fellow Cancer Survivors Through Yoga

    Fitness instructor and personal trainer Grace Albin
    Hers Workouts

    Try this 10-minute floor and wall-based workout from Grace Albin

    Women showing her cellulite in her upper thigh recieving a lower body massage
    Hers Features

    This Dermatologist Helps Separate the Truths from Myths about Cellulite

    new year goals
    Muscle & Fitness Hers

    4 Healthy Habits to Help You Reset Your 2023 Wellness Goals

  • Muscle&Fitness+

    Muscle&Fitness+

  • Olympia

    Olympia

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
    Caesar Bacarella performing a dumbbell workout with biceps curls
    Pro Tips

    Caesar Bacarella Is Building a Fitness Empire at Full Speed

    Olympia-2019-Whiteny-Jones-Press-Conference
    Interviews

    Whitney Jones Can Break, But Can Never Be Broken

    IFBB Wellness Pro Yarishna Ayala
    Interviews

    Yarishna Ayala Shares Advice for Future Wellness Division Competitors

    2021 Mr. Olympia Top 3 winners Brandon Curry, Big Ramy, Hadi Choopin
    News

    BIG RAMY WINS THE 2021 OLYMPIA!

Subscribe to YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Accessibility Statement Do Not Sell
  • Workouts
    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
  • Nutrition
    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
  • Features
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
  • Anti-Aging
    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
  • Flex
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
  • Hers
    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
  • Muscle&Fitness+
  • Olympia
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
  • Resources & Highlights
    • Topics
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Do Not Sell

Stay Connected

Success!

Thank you for signing up. Your information has been successfully processed!

I want content for...
Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest
Open menu button
Open search bar button
×

Search M&F

Featured Articles
Lean Muscle
Healthy Eating

28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.

Read article
Kate Upton Attends the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Women

The 20 Hottest Female Celebrities

Talented stars, killer physiques.

Read article
Bench press record holder Bill Gillespie breaking the world record at age 62
Pro Tips

The 'Dos' and 'Don’ts' of Bill Gillespie’s Record-Breaking Bench Press

At age 62, "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks.

Read article
The 50 Best Female Fitness Influencers on Instagram
Girls

The 50 Best Fitness Influencers on Instagram

Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation.

Read article
Abs and Core Exercises

5 Ab Exercises for More Core Strength

Roll out the Swiss ball for these core tightening moves.

by M&F Editors
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Swiss Ball Plank
View Gallery

5 Ab Exercises for More Core Strength

Close gallery popup button
1 OF 6

1 of 6

Swiss Ball Plank

Heavy weights and compound lifts should always be your cornerstones, but that doesn’t mean Swiss balls are just for the ladies in the aerobics studio. These five moves can not only strengthen your core, but liven up your program and help you break through training plateaus.

2 of 6

Swiss Ball Push up

Push-ups

Prop up your feet on a Swiss ball and place your hands on the floor. Keep your body straight and perform full-range-of-motion push-ups.

3 of 6

Swiss Plank

Plank

Rest your forearms on a Swiss ball and walk your feet out until your body, from your shoulders to your toes, forms a straight line. Supporting your weight on your elbows and toes, hold for time. This move can also be performed by supporting your weight on your hands and top of feet (as pictured above).

4 of 6

Swiss Cobra

Prone Cobra

Kneel on the floor, resting your hips on a Swiss ball. Cup hands behind your neck and flare elbows out. Then arch your back and raise chest off the ball. Hold for time or repeat for reps. 

5 of 6

Knee tucks

Knee Tucks

Prop up your feet on the Swiss ball and place your hands on the floor. Keep your body straight and bring your knees in towards your chest, keeping your abs tight throughout the move.

6 of 6

Side Plank

Side Plank

Lie on your side with your legs straight, placing the sides of your feet on the Swiss ball – this move can also be performed with no Swiss ball as pictured above. Prop your upper body up on your forearm and elbow. Contract your abs to keep your core tight as you raise your hips to form a straight line with your entire body. Hold position for a few seconds then repeat on opposite side.    

Back to intro

Heavy weights and compound lifts should always be your cornerstones, but that doesn’t mean Swiss balls are just for the ladies in the aerobics studio. These five moves can not only strengthen your core, but liven up your program and help you break through training plateaus.

Push-ups

Prop up your feet on a Swiss ball and place your hands on the floor. Keep your body straight and perform full-range-of-motion push-ups.

Plank

Rest your forearms on a Swiss ball and walk your feet out until your body, from your shoulders to your toes, forms a straight line. Supporting your weight on your elbows and toes, hold for time. This move can also be performed by supporting your weight on your hands and top of feet (as pictured above).

Prone Cobra

Kneel on the floor, resting your hips on a Swiss ball. Cup hands behind your neck and flare elbows out. Then arch your back and raise chest off the ball. Hold for time or repeat for reps. 

Knee Tucks

Prop up your feet on the Swiss ball and place your hands on the floor. Keep your body straight and bring your knees in towards your chest, keeping your abs tight throughout the move.

Side Plank

Lie on your side with your legs straight, placing the sides of your feet on the Swiss ball – this move can also be performed with no Swiss ball as pictured above. Prop your upper body up on your forearm and elbow. Contract your abs to keep your core tight as you raise your hips to form a straight line with your entire body. Hold position for a few seconds then repeat on opposite side. 

 
 
 
Topics:
  • Build Muscle
Author picture
Written by M&F Editors
Also by M&F Editors
Bodybuilder Cedric McMillan passes away
News

The Bodybuilding Community Pays Tribute to Cedric McMillan

Arnold Shwazenegar in front of a crowded Olympia event
News

The Best Arnold Classic Champions of All Time

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Success!

Thank you for signing up. Your information has been successfully processed!

I want content for...

Follow us

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

More news

Fit Female performing a core workout using the hollow hold exercise
Abs and Core Exercises

Build Solid Core Strength with Hollow Holds

This simple-looking move will provide plenty of power—and burn—to your midsection.

Read article
Black man performing overrated core exercises at the park
Abs and Core Exercises

Don’t Waist Your Time With These Overrated Core Exercises

Six trainers are here to tell you better alternatives to these badly butchered moves.

Read article
Fit man with a muscular physique showing off his shredded abs that reveals the lower abs and muscular oblique muscles
Abs and Core Exercises

Here Are The Core Reasons Why You Should Never Forget Your Obliques

Show love to your love handles with these ways to strengthen those muscles.

Read article
All Abs and Core Exercises
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Workouts
  4. /
  5. Abs and Core Exercises
  6. /
  7. 5 Ab Exercises for More Core Strength
Muscle & Fitness logo
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
  • Features
  • Recipes
  • Topics
  • Videos
  • Exercise Videos
  • Podcasts
  • RSS Feed
  • Muscle&Fitness +
  • Buy Olympia Tickets
  • Archives
  • Sitemap
Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

Newsletter Signup

Success!

Thank you for signing up. Your information has been successfully processed!

I want content for...

Muscleandfitness.com is part of a360media Fitness & Health Network

Contact Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Do Not Sell Accessibility Statement

JW Media, LLC

Copyright 2023 JW Media, LLC, parent company of Muscle & Fitness. All rights reserved.