I asked an expert strength coach how to build core strength and stability at any age: She shared this simple workout of 9 bodyweight exercises

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We often talk about building a strong core, but we’re not referring to visible six-pack abs. Instead, we’re referring to the complex network of muscles that wrap around your trunk, acting as your body’s corset. This includes the deep transverse abominis, the obliques, the lower back muscles, as well as the glutes and pelvic floor.When your core is weak, your spine absorbs more stress as you move and lift, so working on your core strength is one of the best ways to manage and prevent lower back pain. Your core also helps overall balance and prevents falls.Yet if you’re a complete beginner or returning to exercise following an extended break, it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily, you’ve landed in the right place. I asked certified personal trainer and strength coach Amy Kiser Schemper for a simple home workout that can build core strength and stability.Read on to find out more. As always, if you’re pregnant or postpartum, or you’re exercising with an injury, it’s always best to seek personalized advice from a qualified professional.

Amy Kiser Schemper is a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and prenatal/postnatal exercise specialist with 15 years of experience helping people build strength, confidence and consistency in their fitness routines. She holds a Master’s in Exercise Science from Concordia University Chicago, two undergraduate degrees from Virginia Tech, and is the founder of BodyFit by Amy, an online fitness community and YouTube channel with more than half a million subscribers across 180 countries. She serves as a fitness advisor at BowFlex.