Must-Try Weightlifting Exercises for a Stronger Core
Nina Jordan • April 21, 2025
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Must-Try Weightlifting Exercises for a Stronger Core
When most people think about building a stronger core, they often imagine endless crunches or planks. While these bodyweight exercises are effective, weightlifting offers an even more powerful way to strengthen the core. The beauty of weightlifting is that it not only builds a strong midsection but also enhances overall strength, stability, and athletic performance.
Incorporating weightlifting exercises into your core routine can activate deeper muscles and challenge your body in new ways. If you’re looking to build a rock-solid core while improving your overall strength, here are 10 must-try weightlifting exercises for a stronger core.
1. Deadlifts
The deadlift is often considered the king of all weightlifting exercises—and for good reason. This compound movement works your entire posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes, lower back) but also engages the core deeply to stabilize your spine.
How to do it:
* Stand with your feet hip-width apart, the barbell over your mid-foot.
* Bend at the hips and knees to grasp the bar with both hands (alternating grip or double overhand).
* Keep your back flat and engage your core as you lift the barbell by extending your hips and knees simultaneously.
* Lower the bar back to the floor with control.
Core benefit: The deadlift requires constant core engagement to keep your back neutral and prevent injury, making it one of the best core-strengthening exercises.
2. Overhead Press (Barbell or Dumbbell)
The overhead press is a fantastic exercise for not only building shoulder strength but also reinforcing core stability. When lifting the barbell overhead, your core has to engage to maintain balance and prevent your back from arching.
How to do it:
* Start with the barbell or dumbbells at shoulder height.
* Press the weights overhead, keeping your core tight and your body stable.
* Lower the weights back to shoulder height with control.
Core benefit: The overhead press requires significant core activation to prevent your body from swaying backward or forward during the lift.
3. Front Squat
While the back squat is known for building leg strength, the front squat emphasizes the core even more due to the placement of the barbell. Holding the barbell in front forces your torso to remain upright, demanding engagement from your core and upper back.
How to do it:
* Set the barbell on the front of your shoulders, keeping your elbows high.
* Squat down, keeping your chest upright and your knees tracking over your toes.
* Drive through your heels to stand back up, maintaining a tight core throughout the movement.
Core benefit: The front squat engages the abs, obliques, and lower back, making it a great exercise for developing a strong core.
4. Russian Twists with Weight
A variation of the bodyweight Russian twist, adding weight increases the intensity and further challenges your core, especially your obliques. Holding a dumbbell, kettlebell, or plate while twisting from side to side works both the rotational and stabilizing muscles of the core.
How to do it:
* Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet off the ground.
* Hold a weight with both hands in front of you.
* Lean back slightly and twist your torso from side to side, tapping the weight on the floor beside your hip with each twist.
Core benefit: The added weight increases the resistance on your obliques, helping to build a stronger, more defined core.
5. Dumbell / Kettlebell Swings
Kettlebell swings are a powerful exercise for developing hip power, but they also provide a great core workout. The explosive nature of the movement requires core stability to maintain control of the kettlebell as it swings.
How to do it:
* Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell with both hands.
* Hinge at the hips, swinging the kettlebell back between your legs.
* Drive your hips forward, swinging the kettlebell to chest height or higher while maintaining a strong core.
Core benefit: The swinging motion requires your core to brace against the force generated by your hips, targeting your lower abs, obliques, and lower back.
6. Turkish Get-Ups
This full-body exercise requires core strength and coordination as you move from lying down to standing up while holding a kettlebell or dumbbell overhead. The constant stability required by your core makes this an excellent functional core exercise.
How to do it:
* Start by lying on your back with a kettlebell in one hand, arm extended straight up.
* Push through your opposite hand and leg to raise your torso, while keeping the kettlebell overhead.
* Slowly move into a standing position, and then reverse the movement back to the starting position.
Core benefit: The Turkish get-up engages the entire core, improving both stability and strength while targeting the obliques, abs, and lower back.
These are just a few- we could go on and on with the list of effective core-building movements…Thrusters, overhead squats, overhead walking lunges, etc… the list goes on.
Conclusion
Weightlifting isn’t just for building strength in your legs or upper body—it’s also a fantastic way to develop a powerful, functional core. By incorporating these weightlifting exercises into your workout routine, you’ll be able to target all areas of your core while simultaneously improving your overall strength, stability, and athletic performance.
Remember, form is key in weightlifting to avoid injury and get the most out of each exercise. Start with lighter weights to master the movement before gradually increasing the load. With consistent effort, you'll notice a stronger, more resilient core that supports every aspect of your fitness journey.
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