5 Exercises That Improve Core Strength and Balance Ft. Milind Soman

The need to raise your fitness level and adopt a healthy lifestyle has become the need of the hour. Given the prevailing conditions outside, everyone is trying to figure out ways to boost their immunity by opting for multi-vitamin tablets, healthy food diets and traditional grandma’s ancient formulas. With gyms remaining close due to pandemic restrictions, the internet has witnessed a surge in online yoga classes which has helped fitness enthusiasts find the right balance between their mind and body. While popular celebrities have been taking to social media to share their fitness secrets, the man who has been leading the bandwagon from the front is Milind Soman.

The 55-year-old fitness enthusiast has been serving as the right inspiration to millions by sharing his Covid-19 experience. Not only this but Milind has also been motivating his fans to adopt a healthy and simple lifestyle as it would serve them better in the long run. From sharing his natural diet to giving tips on working out in nature, Milind has been using his social media popularity to raise awareness about physical and mental health. But what has grabbed our attention is the model turned actor’s latest Instagram post, in which Milind’s core strength is at full display. With such fitness levels at the age of 55, fans have been hailing the Indian Ironman’s impressive strength, flexibility and balance. Check out Milind’s post here:

AskMen India highlights important takeaways from Milind’s post and shares a few exercises that will help you enhance your core strength and balance.

Supine Toe Taps

One of the simplest but most effective core strengthening exercises is the supine toe taps. But makes this workout so popular is the fact that it also boosts energy and improves body stability. A simple beginners exercise that will help you start your journey to achieve strong abdominal muscles like Milind Soman.

Simple steps to follow:

• Lie on your back and place your arms by your sides.
• Raise your knees to 90 degrees.
• Lower your left foot and touch the floor.
• Return to the original position.
• Perform the same movement with your right leg.
• Return to the original position.
• Repeat.

Deadbug

The deadbug workout works on your back and core muscles and also improves your spine health (thus enhancing your body posture). An effective way of beginning your core stabilising workout, the deadbug workout is an integral part of every athletes’ fitness routine. Plus this exercise doesn’t require any equipment and is, therefore, a very good workout option to improve your core muscles and mind-body coordination.

Simple steps to follow:

• Lie on your back.
• Extend your hands upwards and bend your knees.
• Move your left arm back while extending your alternate leg.
• Return to the original position.
• Now move your right arm back while extending your alternate leg.
• Return to the original position.
• Repeat.

Bird Dog (with Bosu ball)

The bird dog workout will not only improve your body balance but also strengthen your core muscles as well. This workout when done correctly with a Bosu ball, can even help people with lower backache. The addition of a Bosu ball serves as a good cushion for the knees while adding more pressure on targeted body parts.

Simple steps to follow:

• Place your right knee on the Bosu ball.
• Place your hands on the floor underneath the shoulders.
• Straighten your left leg while raising your right arm.
• Return to the original position.
• Now straighten your right leg while raising your left arm.
• Return to the original position.
• Repeat.

Bridge

A known fitness enthusiast Milind Soman not only focuses all his attention on his core strength but makes sure that he works out on all his body parts. And to perform such risky manoeuvres like the one Milind shared in his latest post, one needs to have a flexible and strong spine. And the bridge exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways of improving mobility while working on your core strength at the same time.

Simple steps to follow:

• Lie on your back and bend your knees.
• Allow your feet to touch the floor.
• Place your arms on the side.
• Lift your pelvis off the floor and hold on to the position for a few seconds.
• Return to the original position.
• Repeat.

Plank (With Toe Taps)

Plank is termed as a staple exercise that targets multiple muscles and improves body posture. Apart from enhancing circulation in the body, this simple exercise can be a part of your daily routine as it works on your back, core and upper body muscles. And the addition of toe taps only makes it even better and tougher as it makes you aware of your body movements, hence improving stability.

Simple steps to follow:

• Get into a high plank position.
• Ensure that your body is in one straight line.
• Raise your left leg and move away from the body.
• Touch the ground and return to the original position.
• Now repeat the same with your right leg.

These healthy recommendations inspired by Milind Soman’s Instagram post will definitely improve your core strength and body balance.

Cover artwork by Dhaval Punatar/AskMen India

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