Another way to strengthen your core is by incorporating functional exercises, that are designed to mimic the way we move in everyday life to make daily movements easier, into your routine. Here are some weighted functional movements you can try.

Deadlift

The deadlift is well-known as a lower-body movement. But if you properly engage your core, it’s a great way to target those deep core muscles and doing so will also improve your lifts. Think about bracing your core as you lift the weight from the floor. The below directions are for kettlebell deadlifts, but the technique is very similar with barbells and dumbbells.

How to do kettlebell deadlifts:

Place the kettlebell on the floor and stand just behind it with your feet hip-width apart.
Hinge at the hips and slightly bend your knees so your hands can hang straight down to grip the handle.
Engage your core and roll your shoulders back and down.
Press through your heels to stand, straightening your legs and pushing your hips forwards to a neutral position.
Hinge at the hips and bend the knees to lower the weight back down.

Kettlebell marches

Most core exercises involve lying on a yoga mat, but how often do we actually need to engage our core muscles while lying down IRL? Standing core moves are a great example of functional exercises that make moving in everyday life feel easier. You can do this exercise with kettlebells or dumbbells.

How to do kettlebell marches:

Stand with feet hip-width apart.
Grab your weights and push them overhead with your wrists facing forwards.
Bracing the core, slowly lift the right leg and bend the knee so that it forms a 90° angle in front of you. Slowly lower the leg and then lift the left one.
Continue to march on the spot.

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