If six-pack abs are on your holiday wish list, come and get ’em at The Corner.

Ab-focused workouts like CoreStrong and BOSU Pilates Core are gifting clients the foundation for tighter abdominals and total body strength.

We hear it from trainers all the time: “Engage your core!” What does that mean, really? Anatomically speaking, “core” refers to the major muscles—including the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, and obliques—that move, support, and stabilize your spine. The glutes are also considered a part of the core, or “trunk” because they connect to the pelvis, back, and abdominal muscles.

It makes sense then that it takes more than basic crunches to fully engage these muscles and effect physical—and visible—change in our bodies. Instead, exercises like planks, mountain climbers, and reverse crunches activate these muscles on a deeper level—and faster. That, we like!

“Your core is your body’s entire support system, so a core-targeted workout is going to benefit your entire body and the rest of your fitness routine,” says trainer Jo Kutchey, who introduced CoreStrong earlier this fall. She and fellow trainer Ally Ranville teach a 45-minute semi-private session that mixes core-targeted exercises with full-body-focused cardio intervals. Expect to recruit the lower and upper body in exercises like leg lifts and plank variations, weighted bicycles and pushups. “These movements bring hyperawareness to your core, keeping it activated at all times,” says Jo.

Adding balance to the equation is a fool-proof way to wake up those abs. Trainer Lindsay Perrigan’s BOSU Pilates Core weaves Pilates-inspired moves with strength and cardio exercises, all using the BOSU dome. “Engaging stabilizer muscles forces you to work your core that much more,” says Lindsay. And it’ll show!

Vanity aside, we really want strong abs to protect and support our lower back. Considering that lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments, strengthening the muscles that support it should be a focus in everyone’s fitness routine. A strong core will better enable us to carry our body weight and help to prevent aches and discomfort. Now, that’s a worthy Christmas wish.

Book semi-private CoreStrong with Jo & Ally on Tuesdays & Thursdays 6am, 7:30am, 4:15pm & 5pm and semi-private BOSU Pilates Core with Lindsay on Tuesdays 6:30pm & Thursdays 9:30am.

Sign up for workouts on The Corner Studio app. Mix up your fitness routine and try something new this week—your abs will thank you!

See You at The Corner!