At 67, Denise Austin Reveals Her 'Game-Changing' Core Exercises for Women Over 50

• Denise Austin offers "efficient" core workouts specifically designed for women over 50. .
• Her favorites include standing moves, planks, and bicycle crunches.
• The star also explains how to get the most out of whatever moves you choose.

Denise Austin is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to staying fit and living a healthy lifestyle . The 67-year-old fitness pro shares her top wellness tips and easy workout moves to help motivate her followers. Now, in a recent interview with , Austin reveals her favorite core exercises for women over 50—and we’re sharing exactly how to do them.

Standing crunch

The first exercise is a standing crunch. Keeping your core strong as you get older is crucial for general well-being. However, Austin mentions that many of her followers "prefer not to lie down" during workouts. This is precisely why she enjoys adding standing abdominal exercises to her routine.

The standing crunch is an excellent exercise for beginners and remains highly efficient. Austin previously demonstrated this movement, referring to it as her favorite. top exercise for defining the lower abdominal area . Simply stand upright with your arms above your head and alternate which knee you pull towards your chest, crunching your upper body downward to meet your knee.

Plank

While there are so many amazing standing exercises to add to your routine, Austin says “a good plank is something we can’t ignore...I think you need to do one of those as part of your ab routine.” The fitness pro explains that the plank is one of the best ways to target the transverse abdominis muscles, the deep core muscles that “hold your tummy” muscles in place and provide much-needed support and stabilization.

Austin mentions that both high (with hands raised) and low (with elbows lowered) planks are effective alternatives, but recommends opting for the low plank if you experience wrist problems. Additionally, he points out several methods to adapt the plank exercise. For individuals not wanting to go completely to the floor, Austin advises trying elevated planks by positioning your hands or elbows on an elevated surface like a desk, kitchen countertop, or sturdy chair instead.

Bicycle crunch

“If you do get down on the ground, the best exercise to do is the bicycle, because the bicycle is working the lower part of your abdominals, obliques, and rectus abdominus,” Austin says, calling it one of the most “efficient and effective” moves. “A bicycle is one of the best exercises to work all the core muscles,” Austin adds.

This is an excellent workout for women over 50 as well since you can involve your legs and flex the knees, aiding in proper form. To perform a bicycle crunch, lie down on your back while lifting both your shoulder blades and legs off the floor. Place your hands behind your head, then alternately bring one bent knee towards your chest while bringing the opposite elbow close to it until they touch. Afterward, extend this leg fully as you switch sides, continuing the alternating motion.

Regardless of which core exercises you incorporate into your fitness regimen, Austin emphasizes that establishing a strong mind-muscle link and understanding how to activate your abdominal muscles is crucial. "It’s important to figure out how to firm up your abs and effectively contract them so they truly come into play," she states. "The objective is to fully involve all parts of the abdominal muscles—even when seated, try pulling in your stomach as though you're cinching a corset tighter around yourself. It significantly aids in grasping the proper technique for engaging these muscles."

Interested in more exercises? Take a look at some of our top picks among Austin’s tips, tricks, and workout routines listed below.

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