Stop doing sit-ups — a yoga instructor and strength and conditioning coach recommends this exercise to work the core, hip flexors, and back muscles
Here's why the boat pose might be the ab move you probably shouldn't skip
A yoga instructor and strength and conditioning coach suggests replacing sit-ups and crunches with the boat pose for building core, hip flexor, and back muscle strength. Boat pose engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing functional core strength rather than isolating single muscles. To perform boat pose, sit with knees bent and feet flat, lean back while keeping the spine long, engage the core, and lift the feet off the floor while balancing on sit bones.
Extend arms in front, hold for 20-30 seconds, and repeat 2-4 times. Beginners can start with bent knees and shorter holds. Benefits include activating rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis, as well as strengthening hip flexors, quadriceps, and inner thighs. Boat pose also helps improve posture, lower back strength, and overall core stability.
Progress the exercise by holding longer or raising arms, or add a pulse by slowly lowering and raising the torso and legs. Always start slowly and gradually increase intensity as core strength improves.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
