Best Core Workouts To Build Strength For Women

About

This tailored workout plan emphasizes building core strength effectively for women by incorporating a strategic mix of compound lifts and target-focused isolation exercises.

The exercises prioritize stabilization of the torso, engaging key muscle groups such as the abdominals and lower back, which are crucial for maintaining proper form and performance across various movements.

Designed considering general averages for women (5’5”, 140 lbs, 34 years old), this plan uses higher weights and lower repetitions to promote strength adaptation.

Examples include sit-ups and planks for activation, and twists and back extensions for comprehensive engagement, ensuring each session addresses stabilization and control.

The 15 Best Core Exercises to Build Strength for Women

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Bicycle Crunch

    SETS LOGGED
    4,691,493
    Abs Strength
    98 mScore
    Abs

    The Bicycle Crunch is an advanced ab exercise that targets your core while keeping your upper body lifted. Instead of lowering your torso, you maintain the position and move your legs in a cycling motion for better muscle engagement.

    How to do it

    The Bicycle Crunch is an advanced ab exercise that targets your core while keeping your upper body lifted. Instead of lowering your torso, you maintain the position and move your legs in a cycling motion for better muscle engagement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 2. Crunches

    SETS LOGGED
    5,557,695
    Abs Strength
    100 mScore
    Abs

    Crunches are a simple exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles. Unlike sit-ups, you only lift your shoulder blades off the ground. This makes crunches perfect for beginners wanting to improve their core strength.

    How to do it

    Crunches are a simple exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles. Unlike sit-ups, you only lift your shoulder blades off the ground. This makes crunches perfect for beginners wanting to improve their core strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 3. Exercise Ball Crunch

    SETS LOGGED
    1,431,747
    Abs Strength
    94 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Stability (Swiss) Ball
    Stability (Swiss) Ball

    The Exercise Ball Crunch is a challenging version of the standard Crunch that includes a medicine ball for added weight. It's perfect for beginners who want to strengthen their core muscles while using a stability ball.

    How to do it

    The Exercise Ball Crunch is a challenging version of the standard Crunch that includes a medicine ball for added weight. It's perfect for beginners who want to strengthen their core muscles while using a stability ball.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    10reps
    2
    10reps
    3
    10reps
    4
    10reps
  • 4. Leg Pull-In

    SETS LOGGED
    2,675,742
    Abs Strength
    97 mScore
    Abs

    The Leg Pull-In is a simple exercise that works your core muscles. By bringing your knees to your chest while lying on your back, you strengthen your abs and improve stability.

    How to do it

    The Leg Pull-In is a simple exercise that works your core muscles. By bringing your knees to your chest while lying on your back, you strengthen your abs and improve stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 5. Leg Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    3,962,641
    Abs Strength
    99 mScore
    Abs

    The Leg Raise is a beginner-friendly exercise that strengthens your core. You lie on your back and lift your legs up while controlling their descent for better results.

    How to do it

    The Leg Raise is a beginner-friendly exercise that strengthens your core. You lie on your back and lift your legs up while controlling their descent for better results.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 6. Plank

    SETS LOGGED
    4,312,324
    Abs Strength
    92 mScore
    Abs

    Planks are a simple core exercise where you hold a position to strengthen your core muscles. You keep your body straight and engage your core for a set amount of time, making it great for building stability in everyday activities.

    How to do it

    Planks are a simple core exercise where you hold a position to strengthen your core muscles. You keep your body straight and engage your core for a set amount of time, making it great for building stability in everyday activities.

  • 7. Russian Twist

    SETS LOGGED
    3,693,217
    Abs Strength
    99 mScore
    Abs

    The Russian Twist is a core exercise that helps strengthen your obliques, which are the muscles on the sides of your abdomen. You sit with your feet lifted, engage your core, and twist your torso from side to side to work these muscles effectively.

    How to do it

    The Russian Twist is a core exercise that helps strengthen your obliques, which are the muscles on the sides of your abdomen. You sit with your feet lifted, engage your core, and twist your torso from side to side to work these muscles effectively.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 8. Scissor Crossover Kick

    SETS LOGGED
    2,012,590
    Abs Strength
    96 mScore
    Abs

    The Scissor Crossover Kick is a core exercise that adds a twist to traditional Scissor Kicks. While lying on your back, you cross your legs in front of you, enhancing core stability and control as you lift your feet off the ground.

    How to do it

    The Scissor Crossover Kick is a core exercise that adds a twist to traditional Scissor Kicks. While lying on your back, you cross your legs in front of you, enhancing core stability and control as you lift your feet off the ground.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 9. Scissor Kick

    SETS LOGGED
    2,586,422
    Abs Strength
    97 mScore
    Abs

    Scissor Kicks are a core exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles by alternating the elevation of your legs. While lying on your back, you'll lift your legs up and down, engaging your core for stability throughout the movement.

    How to do it

    Scissor Kicks are a core exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles by alternating the elevation of your legs. While lying on your back, you'll lift your legs up and down, engaging your core for stability throughout the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 10. Sit Up

    SETS LOGGED
    2,726,575
    Abs Strength
    98 mScore
    Abs

    Sit Ups are a basic exercise that strengthens your core by raising your entire upper body off the ground. This move is similar to Crunches but involves a greater range of motion, engaging your abdominal muscles more fully.

    How to do it

    Sit Ups are a basic exercise that strengthens your core by raising your entire upper body off the ground. This move is similar to Crunches but involves a greater range of motion, engaging your abdominal muscles more fully.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 11. Vertical Knee Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    1,512,183
    Abs Strength
    95 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Vertical Bench (Vertical Knee Raise)
    Vertical Bench (Vertical Knee Raise)

    The Vertical Knee Raise is a core exercise where you lift your knees towards your chest while hanging. This movement helps build strength in your core and improves balance and stability.

    How to do it

    The Vertical Knee Raise is a core exercise where you lift your knees towards your chest while hanging. This movement helps build strength in your core and improves balance and stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 12. Back Extensions

    SETS LOGGED
    3,608,448
    Lower Back Strength
    96 mScore
    Lower Back
    Photo of Glute Ham Raise Bench
    Glute Ham Raise Bench

    Back extensions strengthen the lower back and improve core stability. This exercise helps build a strong foundation for your back muscles.

    How to do it

    Back extensions strengthen the lower back and improve core stability. This exercise helps build a strong foundation for your back muscles.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 13. Cable Crunch

    SETS LOGGED
    1,462,723
    Abs Strength
    91 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    Cable Crunch is an exercise that strengthens your core using a cable machine instead of just your body weight. You perform it while kneeling, allowing for greater control over the resistance and direction of the movement.

    How to do it

    Cable Crunch is an exercise that strengthens your core using a cable machine instead of just your body weight. You perform it while kneeling, allowing for greater control over the resistance and direction of the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 14. Dead Bug

    SETS LOGGED
    2,149,647
    Abs Strength
    96 mScore
    Abs

    The Dead Bug is a core exercise that you perform while lying on your back. It helps strengthen your core by alternating the movement of your arms and legs, which keeps your body stable.

    How to do it

    The Dead Bug is a core exercise that you perform while lying on your back. It helps strengthen your core by alternating the movement of your arms and legs, which keeps your body stable.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 15. Decline Crunch

    SETS LOGGED
    1,236,541
    Abs Strength
    82 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Decline Bench
    Decline Bench

    The Decline Crunch is a tougher version of the regular crunch that targets your core. Using a decline bench helps engage your muscles more effectively as you lift your upper body.

    How to do it

    The Decline Crunch is a tougher version of the regular crunch that targets your core. Using a decline bench helps engage your muscles more effectively as you lift your upper body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Core Workouts for Women

Alternative Workouts to Build Strength for Women

Alternative Core Workouts to Build Strength

Best Core Workouts To Build Strength For Women | Fitbod Workout Generator