Your core makes up a handful of muscles that serve a functional purpose and look great around the pool. The content ahead explores ways to build a powerful core in 5 minutes a day – no crunches involved so that you can show off your core and feel amazing.
When it comes to working the core, many people picture endless crunches and sit-ups. While crunches are a common part of core training, so much more can be involved to make it fun, effective, and seamless. Let’s take a look at the muscles of the core that are involved in a powerful mid-section and ways to work them moving forward. 
What Muscles Make up The Core?
The core is a generalized term for various muscles that work together to support the spine, generate spinal flexion and extension, twist, and promote stability. Without a powerful core, we could not maintain posture, lift or perform our basic essentials of each day, and quite honestly our internal organs wouldn’t be protected. Listed ahead are the primary core muscles.
- Rectus Abdominis: This is our outermost abdominal muscle that is responsible for showing off the six or eight-pack abs. If you work your core for this purpose, you’ll want to work this muscle.
- Obliques: Looking for a sleek mid-section? Working the internal and external obliques can help to get this appearance. These muscles help to twist the spine and assist in flexion. Working the obliques helps to add definition the core and create a sleek look in the mid-section.
- Transverse Abdominis: The less obvious muscle that plays a big role in a powerful core is the transverse abdominis. This muscle is deep and is vital to creating stability in the spine.
Why Skip the Crunches?
While crunches offer benefits to the core, the honest part is they only work a small portion of the abs. Crunches are designed to strengthen the rectus abdominis muscle. While an important element in any workout, there are more efficient options to build a powerful core. Let’s take a look at how to build a powerful core in 5 minutes a day without a single crunch involved. 
Exercises to Build a Powerful Core in 5 Minutes a Day – No Crunches Needed
- Planks. The versatility of planks sets them aside from many other exercises. There are standard planks, planks from your elbows, side planks, and variations with shoulder tapping. It should be no surprise, but planks can easily be added into any workout routine to build a strong core.
- Bird Dog. Bird dogs combine planks with arm and leg movement for a tough core workout. Bird dogs help to work the stabilizing muscles in the core, focus on balance, and work generally all areas of the abdominal muscles.
- Dead Bug. The opposite exercise to bird dogs, dead bugs utilized similar movements, but with the back stabilized. This exercise can be much more difficult with resistance bands with or light dumbbells and can easily be added into a daily routine.
- Russian Twists. The Russian twist is performed in a slightly upright position and requires the money to twist left and right. The best part about these twists is that they work the rectus abdominis muscle, the internal and external obliques, and the stabilizing muscles. These twists truly are a complete option for working every level of the core and can easily be added into a daily routine.
- Flutter Kicks. Fast movements can help to encourage higher intensity type of work. Higher intensity work helps to lead to faster game. Flutter kicks require small but fast movements in the lower portion of the abdominal muscles and are highly effective for shredding the core.
- Hanging Straight Leg Lifts. If you have access to a pull-up bar, then hanging straight leg lifts can be a great way to work the corner. Specifically geared to work the lower part of the abdominal muscles, straight leg lifts are a tough exercise that can definitely deliver results in a fast way and the bent knee ups are a great alternative.
- Woodchopping. Woodchops are perhaps the most effective exercise in this list. They require strong stabilizing muscles and can work the core at every level. Not to mention, wood chops work the legs, the lower back, and the upper body for essentially a full body workout.
It’s Only 5 Minutes
The question must be asked, can you exercise for 5 minutes every day? Challenge yourself every single day of the week and see what kind of results you can get. When you look at it, 5 minutes is a very small part of the day, but it can definitely be efficient in helping to develop abdominal muscles.
The exercise is listed above are designed to help shift your program to work on your floor. Regardless if you’re goals are to develop six-pack abs or to simply strengthen your core, these exercises can be performed daily. Here are a few ways to fit these exercises into your busy life each day.
- Start the day with 5 minutes of core exercise. A lot can be said for starting the day with 5 minutes of core exercises. Getting a head start early in the day helps to prevent other tasks from getting in the way and can lead you to success.
- Finish your day with 5 minutes of core exercise. In comparison to doing your 5 minutes early in the day, consider finishing the day with core work.
- Add it to your workout each day. Already hit the gym pretty regularly? If this is you then tack on your 5 minutes before or after your workout to gain perks.
- Schedule it. If you have a tough time planning exercise in a jammed packed day, then add it into your calendar. Scheduling your 5 minute core exercises helps to make it part of your day and it can be scheduled whenever is most convenient for your day.
The Final Thoughts
All it takes is 5 minutes every day. That’s it.
Ok, so dedication is definitely needed during your journey in creating a powerful core, but 5 minutes a day with a lineup of the exercises listed above can help to guide you to a stronger core.
