Any tips on core work? I don’t have a lot of time, but have been trying to do some type of ab work almost every day with some push-ups.
:yes!:- regular sit-ups, either with feet hooked under the edge of a couch, or just slow and careful with your legs/knees bent. When the feet are hooked, I'll do some where I twist a bit to touch an elbow to the opposite knee. Set or two of whatever length (if I do 30-40 push-ups, the set here will be the same number).
- sit-up variation for the obliques: Lie on your side (resting on a butt cheek), hook lower leg under couch, cross top leg across lower and hook it under couch. Cross arms at the chest. Carefully lift up (sideways) and back down. Set or two. A bit awkward to position, but you'll feel it.
- lie on floor with legs/knees bent, and stare straight up. Cross your arms lightly on your chest. Lift your upper body just a bit as though being pulled straight up to the ceiling, then back down. Set or two. Lift the upper body - don't make it a neck strain.
Alternative: reach up alternating arms as if you're reaching up a rope- but like tri-man says, don't strain the neck. I'll vary these by changing where I reach.
- lie on floor with legs extended almost straight. Lift legs a few inches and hold them for a count of 10 or 20. Repeat a few times.
Alternative: move feet back and forth, parallel to ground over and under eachother while lying like this
- rest on floor, propped on elbows. Do bicycle-like motion, suspending legs in the air and alternate bringing them up toward your chest - either circular or more of a pumping action.
- another oblique exercise is a push-up variation: While on your side, prop yourself up on an elbow with ankles crossed (so just bottom arm and feet are on the ground). Rest (upper) hand lightly on neck. Dip the upper elbow down to the floor in front of you and back up. Set or two. Switch to other side and repeat. Not as hard as a regular push-up, but very good for the obliques.
- Superman... lie on stomache with arms out in front. Lift arms and legs up at the same time.
- Butt-cruncher

... lying on back, push your body up from your shoulders and feet- make your quads parallel to ground, squeeze butt and hold. it burns... oh yes, it burns.