Fitness expert reveals one simple exercise for a stronger core — and it’s not a sit-up - Fox News

Video Yoga instructors demonstrate how to do a proper boat pose for core strength While traditional abdominal exercises can be effective, one yoga pose may offer added benefits. Boat pose, or Navasana, forms the body into a "V" and challenges multiple muscles involved in core stability. Strengthening the core improves balance and stability, which supports movement and physical performance, experts say. While traditional abdominal exercises can be effective, one yoga pose may offer added benefits. Boat pose, or Navasana, forms the body into a "V" and challenges multiple muscles involved in core stability. Melissa Leach, a certified yoga instructor and strength and conditioning coach in Philadelphia, said a strong core provides a foundation for both exercise and everyday movement. FITNESS EXPERTS REVEALS SIMPLE RULE TO GET IN SHAPE WITHOUT DREADING THE GYM: 'JUST MOVE' "Ab exercises help support that by strengthening key muscles such as the obliques, lower back and deep stabilizers like the transverse abdominis," she told Fox News Digital. A yoga instructor demonstrates a boat pose. (Yoga-Go) "Together, these muscles work to stabilize your spine, creating a strong foundation for movement and allowing you to transfer force more efficiently between your upper and lower body." Many routine activities, from carrying groceries to getting up from a chair, engage the core muscles to stabilize the trunk, maintain balance and support controlled movement. PEOPLE ARE USING VIBRATION PLATES FOR WEIGHT LOSS: DO THEY WORK? A strong core can also help reduce the risk of lower back pain by improving stability in the spine and ensuring control during lifting and other physically demanding movements, the expert said. "While injury risk isn’t determined by core strength alone, a well-conditioned core provides a stable foundation for movement in everyday life," she noted. Many routine activities, from carrying groceries to getting up from a chair, engage the core muscles to stabilize the trunk, maintain balance and support controlled movement. (iStock) Boat pose challenges the ab muscles while also engaging the hip flexors, glutes and back, according to Leach. This helps to build functional core strength rather than just targeting a single muscle group. Compared to the traditional situp, which is carried out in "one plane of motion," the boat pose requires the entire core to "work together to keep you balanced and lifted, which places greater demands on core stability, balance and control," Leach said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Whether you're holding the pose or moving dynamically, you're training the muscles that stabilize your spine and pelvis, rather than primarily strengthening the muscles required for trunk flexion, as a situp does," she went on.  "Both have their place, but boat pose challenges the core to work as an integrated system rather than focusing on one movement pattern." Compared to the traditional situp, which is carried out in "one plane of motion," the boat pose engages the entire core. (iStock) The pose develops both stability and muscular endurance, according to Leach. "The position requires your deep core muscles, the ones that support your spine and pelvis, to stay engaged throughout," she said. "Over time, this can translate into better posture, a stronger lower back and a core that supports everyday movement." Leach shared the following steps for performing the boat pose safely and with proper form. A yoga instructor demonstrates an active boat pose. (Yoga-Go) Those looking to make the exercise more dynamic can move in and out of the pose rather than holding it, the expert said.