Maybe you’ve heard of or maybe you use a foam roller for stretching. Did you know you can also strengthen your core using your foam roller?

Strengthening your core and abdominal muscles is important for all things in life. The foam roller adds variation to traditional Pilates and yoga exercises by  increasing the workload on your muscles. If you’re just starting out, you should try the moves on the floor first and slowly build up the reps, aiming for 8-10 reps per set, completing 2-3 sets. Intermediate and advanced exercisers should challenge their cores with these foam roller workouts for abs – by trying 3-4 sets with 10-20 reps each time!

1.) Bicycle Kicks

Position the foam roller lengthwise in the middle of your back. Raise your legs while keeping your knees bent. Extend your right leg, keeping your left leg bent. Keep both hands on the floor for added support and stability. Bring your right leg back to the starting position and extended your left leg. Maintain core tightness by pressing your ribs down as you extended each leg downward.

EXTRA SUPPORT – Add your WAGs with the non-slip grip and take pressure off your wrists with the only wearable wedge!

2.) Crunches

Move the foam roller under your knees while lying on the floor. Keep your hands by your side, bring your knees to your chest. Breath, pause and return to starting position. This exercise will really target the lower abdominal muscles.

Check out this video using Foam Rollers for Abs!

3.) Knee Taps

Return the foam roller under your back, positioned length wise. Extend your arms overhead and bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle. Tap your right hand to your left knee, and then extend both your arm and leg. Repeat tapping your right hand to your left knee for your level of reps and sets. Alternate the next set, left hand to right knee.

4.) Abdominal Roll-Ups

Lie on your back with the foam roller positioned vertically underneath you. Keep your feet flat on the floor and cross your hands over your chest. Raise your shoulder blades off the foam roller and extend your arms in front of you as you roll completely up from the roller. You will finish this movement in an upright seated position on the foam roller with your arms out in front of you. Lower back to starting position and repeat!

5.) Modified Crunch

Place the foam roller horizontally behind you in the middle of your back. Lie back on the foam roller while keeping your knees bent in front of you. Cross your hands across your chest and squeeze your abs as you lift up (on the inhale). Lower yourself back to the starting position and repeat the movement.

Try these foam roller ab exercises 3-4 times a week and let us know how the abs are feeling! Your WAGs non slip workout gloves with wrist support will offer more support and improve confidence in making modifications to the exercise, especially if you’re overcoming or returning from an injury or focused on prevention.

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