iFit Trainer Anja Garcia's Favorite Core Exercises
Core strength is an essential component of your well-being. For many, abdominal exercises are incorporated into a fitness routine for the sole purpose of acquiring that sought-after six pack. The real benefit, however, comes in the form of improved posture, reduced risk of sports-related injuries, improved athletic performance, reduced back pain, etc.
iFit Trainer Anja Garcia regularly incorporates ab exercises into her workout routine. We asked her to share five of her favorite core strengthening workouts to target and tone your abs. We hope you'll give them a try!
Bear hops in hand and elbow plank
Muscles engaged: entire core and lower body with the frog hop
- Keep your shoulders stacked inline with your wrists to begin, then align with your elbows when dropping down to forearm plank.
- Make your neck straight and inline with the rest of your body to avoid extra stress on your neck—try looking forward about a six inches to a foot in front of your fingertips to keep your neck straight.
- Think of pushing your belly button up into your stomach to keep your back nice and straight. No high or sagging hips! A straight back will keep your core engaged.
- Avoid rocking your hips back and forth as you go from straight arm plank to forearm plank. Sometimes, widening your stance will help limit the amount of swaying.
Beast bird dog
Muscles engaged: entire core
Added benefits: Not only will it help straighten your core, but it's a great way to help challenge your balance and stability!
- Keep your neck straight and inline with the rest of your body to avoid extra stress on your neck—try looking forward about a six inches to a foot in front of your fingertips to keep your neck straight.
- Your feet should be wider than shoulder width apart.
Scissor switches
Muscles engaged: entire core, but focused mostly on your lower abs and obliques
- Keep your hands tucked behind your head with your elbows wide.
- Look upward and straight ahead to keep your neck in line with your back. Try your best to avoid tucking your chin. Pro tip: Find a spot to look at on the ceiling.
- For more of a challenge, keep your legs nice and straight. To modify, keep a bend in your knees.
Side plank wrap with leg lift
Muscles engaged: entire core, targeting the obliques as you thread the needle (pull your arm through)
- Make sure your shoulder is in a straight line with your elbow and perpendicular to the floor.
- Keep your hips lifted up high and try to avoid sagging.
- Stack one leg on top of the other (to increase stability, you can bring the top leg in front of your bottom, supporting leg).
Boat pose tuck up with v-extension
Muscles engaged: entire core, targeting the lower core with the leg raise
- Keep your hands tucked behind your head with elbows wide.
- Look upward and straight ahead to keep your neck in line with your back. Try your best to avoid tucking your chin. Pro tip: Find a spot to look at on the ceiling.
- Keep your back nice and straight.
We hope you'll give these challenging and fun abdominal exercises a try. Remember—the key to achieving all the amazing benefits that come with a strong core is proper form and consistency. Make sure to incorporate these ab moves into your workouts regularly, while still remaining mindful of your form.
You might also like
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Trainer Games Complete Collection: Every Workout. Every Episode. One Epic Experience.
Experience the full intensity of Trainer Games in one place. The Trainer Games Complete Collection brings every episode, workout, and behind-the-scenes moment together inside the iFIT fitness app, so you can train, watch, and stay inspired alongside elite trainers from start to finish.
February 16, 2026
Explore Heart Rate Training with the ActivePulse™ Training Series
When it comes to a customized, interactive workout experience, it doesn’t get better than heart rate training. Our new, groundbreaking feature called ActivePulse uses your heart rate to personalize your workout. It’s the newest way to experience an interactive, personalized experience with iFIT. What is ActivePulse? ActivePulse is iFIT’s first heart rate training feature, designed for users who want to get the most out of their workouts. With ActivePulse turned on and a Bluetooth®-enabled heart rate monitor connected to your treadmill, the intensity of your workout will be automatically adjusted, based on your target heart rate zone. You will automatically be sped up or slowed down in order to maintain the ideal heart rate zone for your workout. This includes recovery, speed, or strength runs! Ready to explore ActivePulse? Try the ActivePulse Training Series! If you’re ready to try this new feature and put heart rate training to work for you, join the ActivePulse Training Series that covers all the basics of ActivePulse and heart rate training as you explore beautiful San Diego. Filmed in 2019, this six-part program is led by iFIT Trainer Tommy Rivs Puzey. Together, you’ll run through San Diego as you learn how to use the ActivePulse feature. You’ll also learn about the five heart rate zones, cardiac drift, and how your heart responds to stress. As you explore different zones, Tommy will continue to adjust your workout in order to set the perfect intensity for your fitness level. Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
March 30, 2021
New Feature: Connect iFIT to your Favorite Fitness Apps
Whether you’re out running your favorite trail or cycling at home, every single workout is important. We believe tracking your fitness journey in a single location is a key component to chasing your goals. You can now connect your iFIT account with Apple Health™, Garmin® Connect, Google Fit™, and Strava, so all of your workouts are in one place! Note: Only iFIT workouts from the iFIT Library will count toward your iFIT Milestones. Important update 12/31/2025: Google Fit™ is a deprecated service and is no longer supprted by Google. As a result, iFIT no longer supports new Google Fit connections. We’re actively working toward supporting Google Health Connect, Google’s replacement platform, in a future update. Ready to get connected? Here’s how you can connect your favorite fitness apps to iFIT. Apple Health Garmin Connect Google Fit™ Strava How to connect iFIT to Apple Health: Launch the iFIT app on your iPhone.Tap the three lines in the top left corner to access the menu, then tap on Settings.From Settings, navigate to Connected Apps.On the Connected Apps screen, select Apple Health, then tap Connect.You'll be taken to the Health Access page where you can enable sharing data from iFIT to Health. You can control which types of information iFIT will read and write to Health. How to connect your iFIT and Garmin Connect accounts: Launch the iFIT app on your iPhone or Android phone. Tap the three lines in the top left corner to access the menu, then tap on Settings.From Settings, navigate to Connected Apps.On the Connected Apps screen, select Garmin Connect, then tap Connect.Sign in to your Garmin Connect account.After signing in to your Garmin Connect account, toggle on the preference to share activity data from Garmin Connect to iFIT.Tap the Agree button to connect your iFIT and Garmin Connect accounts.After connecting, you can set your desired preferences to automatically sync your Garmin Connect activities to your iFIT account. Important update 12/31/2025: Google Fit™ is a deprecated service and is no longer supprted by Google. As a result, iFIT no longer supports new Google Fit connections. We’re actively woring toward supporting Google Health Connect, Google’s replacement platform, in a future update.How to connect iFIT to Google Fit™: Launch the iFIT app on your iPhone or Android phone.Tap the three lines in the top left corner to access the menu, then tap on Settings.From Settings, navigate to Connected Apps.On the Connected Apps screen, select Google Fit™, then tap Connect.You’ll be prompted to select the Google account you would like to connect. Tap the Allow button to allow iFIT access to your Google Fit™ account.After connecting, you can set your desired preferences to automatically sync activities between iFIT and Google Fit™. How to connect your iFIT and Strava accounts: Launch the iFIT app on your iPhone or Android phone. Tap the three lines in the top left corner to access the menu, then tap on Settings.From Settings, navigate to Connected Apps.On the Connected Apps screen, select Strava, then tap Connect.Sign in to your Strava account.After signing in to your Strava account, tap the Authorize button to connect your iFIT and Strava accounts.After connecting, you can set your desired preferences to automatically sync your activities between your iFIT and Strava accounts. We hope you enjoy this new feature as you chase your fitness goals with iFIT! Google Fit™ is a trademark of Google LLC. Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
September 2, 2021
