Five Foolproof TRX Ab Exercises You’ll Love to Hate

As a former professional swimmer, I may not wear a swimsuit daily anymore, but I still train like I do. So I maintain a healthy love-hate relationship with some stellar TRX core exercises to keep my abs swimsuit-ready. Check out this unexpected array of five money moves that will crush your core and show off that svelte six-pack in no time. The more you hate these core exercises, the more love they give. Say hello to your new besties.

TRX Standing Oblique Rollout: You are my friend … for now.

I can make you easier by stepping away from the anchor and harder by stepping back, so I like you for that. Our friendship diminishes as I roll out and try to stabilize my body on the straps, forcing me to engage my deep stabilizers and lighting up my core in 360 degrees. Don’t push your luck with me.

TRX Pike-Up: You’re a wolf in disguise.

Sure, you’re a hinging exercise for hip mobility and you also challenge shoulder stability, but stop disguising yourself as Down Dog, faker. Abs, abs, abs. Burn, burn, burn. And just when I think things can’t get harder, gravity reminds me of its existence as I try to slowly lower my hips back to plank. You’re not a dog. Reveal yourself.

TRX Torso Rotation: Who said we were ever friends?

Targeting my hips, obliques, shoulders and back is cool, but the sneak attack of pain as I come out of rotation is not. Who needs eccentric control anyway? The more I decelerate, the more my torso chisels. Totally just unfriended you.

TRX Side Plank With Hip Drop: You’re banned from the TRX club.

You are Pilates on steroids and you know it. Who needs frontal plane exercises anyway? My lateral chain is pretty strong, yet I weep the next day from armpit to hip. You’re dead to me.

Rip Stick: I despise you.

Dear angry yellow stick: My butt is on fire and my abs and obliques just joined the party. I sooooooo own you, isooooo-metric hold. I’ll use perfect posture to protect my spine and diaphragmatic breathing to increase core stability. I can resist rotation back to the anchor and hold that position for as long as you can, you evil little bar with a leash. I love to hate you. You complete me, bae.

This post originally appeared on TRXTraining.com.

Photo credit: bernardbodo, Thinkstock; Courtesy of TRX