10 Exercises That Strengthen Your Core Better Than Pilates

A strong core helps you move better during your everyday life. These 10 exercises can work your abdominal muscles more than Pilates alone, challenging your core and supporting your spine in a way that benefits everyday tasks.

Deadlifts train your core to stabilize your entire body. Compared to Pilates, which can improve core control and endurance, deadlifts build functional strength that improves posture, protects your spine, and makes everyday tasks like lifting and carrying easier.

1. Holding a barbell or a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet hip-width apart.
2. Keep your back straight as you bend your knees and hips, lowering the weight to the floor.
3. As you stand back up, keep your core muscles tight and squeeze your glutes.
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. 

Squats engage your core muscles and challenge your spine to stabilize under a load. While Pilates improves core control and endurance, it does not challenge the core to manage a full-body load like squats do.

1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Bend your knees and hips to lower into a squat position, as if you were sitting in a chair, keeping your chest up.
3. Stand back up, keeping your core tight and pressing through your heels.
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. 

Dead bugs strengthen your lower abdominal muscles and improve control and coordination. This exercise can help prevent injuries during daily activities.

1. Start lying on your back with your arms lifted towards the ceiling and your legs up. Keep your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. 
2. Slowly lower your right arm and left leg while keeping your core muscles tight. 
3. Return to the starting position and switch sides. 
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. 

Bicycle crunches strengthen your abdominals and obliques, improving core strength and stability. They challenge your core to work harder under movement, improving real-life strength.

1. Start lying on your back with your hands behind your head and your legs lifted, knees bent. 
2. Bring your right elbow toward your left knee while straightening your right leg. 
3. Switch sides, bringing your left elbow to your right knee, continuing to alternate in a cycling motion.
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. 

Bird dogs strengthen your back and core, improving spinal support and balance. They provide real-world core stability that protects your back during everyday movements.

1. Start on your hands and knees with your wrists under your shoulders.
2. Straighten your right arm in front of you and your left leg out behind you.
3. Hold for a few seconds and then switch sides. Continue alternating. 
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions

Pikes target your upper abdominal muscles and shoulders, improving core strength and control needed to accomplish everyday tasks.

1. Start in a plank position with your feet on an exercise/stability ball.
2. Lift your hips towards the ceiling, forming an upside-down V shape with your body. 
3. Slowly lower back down to the plank position.
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. 

Hollow body holds strengthen your entire core at once, building strength and stability.

1. Start lying on your back. 
2. While keeping your lower back on the floor, lift your legs off the floor and your shoulders slightly off the floor. 
3. Hold this position as long as you can while breathing and keeping your core engaged.
4. Aim for 30-60 seconds for 2-3 sets.

Stability ball rollouts engage your deep core muscles to strengthen your abdominals and back. They make your core work harder to control movement while protecting your spine.

1. Place your hands on a stability ball with your knees on the floor.
2. Roll the ball forward while keeping your core muscles tight. 
3. Slowly roll back to the starting position.
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. 

The farmer’s carry strengthens your core and shoulders to improve posture, while also building grip strength. This exercise challenges your core in a way that can support everyday tasks such as lifting and carrying.

1. Start by holding a dumbbell or kettlebell in each hand at your sides. 
2. Walk forward slowly, keeping your shoulders pulled back and your core muscles tight. Keep your head up and avoid leaning forward. 
3. Aim to walk for 30-60 seconds for 2-3 sets. 

Turkish Get-Ups improve your core strength, balance, and full-body stability. This exercise helps develop core strength and coordination to support you during everyday tasks.

1. Start lying on your back, holding a weight straight above one shoulder. 
2. Slowly stand up while keeping the weight held overhead.
3. Lower back down carefully, keeping your core muscles engaged. 
4. Perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

Try adding 3-5 of these exercises at a time to your routine a few times a week. With consistent practice, your core muscles will get stronger, your posture will improve, and completing everyday tasks will feel easier and safer.