Most core exercises do not require fitness equipment to be effective. First, we need to define what we’re talking about here. The core is the trunk and pelvis region. That includes your abdominal muscles, your back, and your pelvis. Exercising this area helps strengthen your back, flatten your stomach, improve overall strength, and improve balance because the core is the center of your body’s gravity.

The current fitness trend is to focus on the core and core strength. But just because it’s a trend doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it is a very good idea to work on your core. But as a result of the fact that it’s the current trend, there are many, many different types of fitness equipment on the market. There are sliders, gliders, rockers, and contraptions that look complicated and barely do anything at all. There is also an electrified belt that “exercises” your muscles by administering electric shocks! It goes without saying that all of these items are very expensive. And the commercials are very good at convincing you that you’ll never have a flat stomach without their overpriced item. Of course, the people who sell all of these things don’t want you to know that you can have a very good workout without spending any money at all.

Here are some very simple exercises that you can do any time in the privacy of your own home. In order for them to be effective, you need to exercise at least three times a week, and after awhile, you should work your way up to five times a week.

First is the simple crunch or sit-up. Either one is quite effective. You can either sit up completely to touch your knees, or lay flat on your stomach and only sit up until you feel your muscles tighten. The second option is a move called the bridge. You push yourself up and backwards on your hand and feet, forming a flat bridge with your torso. You can do a similar move facing the floor, which is called the quadruped. These exercises are very simple, and even better than that, they exercise all of the muscles in your trunk simultaneously.