Core Exercises: Bridge

Series Summary

Many people want to lose weight, yet despite claims of quick fat burning pills and powders, the best way to lose weight is still through proper diet and exercise. Exercise does more than maintain physical fitness. Working out improves bone density, builds muscle strength, and improves joint mobility. It can also reduce general health risks, boost the immune system, and help with depression and insomnia. Whether exercising to lose weight or improve muscle mass, working out is always a good idea to promote mind and body health. In this free video series a certified fitness trainer demonstrates a variety of core exercises designed to strengthen abdominal muscles, back muscles and obliques. Explore the bridge, plank, side plank and toe touch. And really get to work with a side knee twist, hip circles and straight leg drops. Interested in toning core muscles? Follow this expert, and start getting in shape today!

Video Transcript

"This first functional core exercise is called the bridge. This exercise is really great to strengthen the whole abdominal region, your lower back, and your glutes. Now, you can use a mat or you can be on a carpeted floor with some really great cushion underneath. You want to make sure that that back is protected. So just come on down to the floor. You want to have your feet hip width apart, engage your abdominal muscles pressing that lower back to the floor. You want to bring your arms down along side your body. Pull your shoulder blades back to really create a great anchor here. And inhale through your nose to prepare. Then exhale as you start with your tail bone and peel your body up one vertebra at a time. Lifting your hips up as high as you can, squeeze your glutes, inhale at the top, and then exhale as you imprint one vertebra at a time. And you just want to continue doing this exercise until you really feel a great burn through your glutes and you are really going to hit that entire core area. When you are finished simply relax and bring your knees in toward your chest. And that is the bridge."