Sameera Reddy believes a strong core does more than shape your body — it supports your posture, balance, lower back, and everyday movement. Taking to Instagram, she shared 5 foundational core exercises that help women build stability, improve strength, reduce injury risk, and improve control at every stage of fitness.From easing back discomfort to improving mobility and confidence in movement, the basics matter more than you think. “Start with control. Build strength that lasts,” she advised in the caption of her Instagram post.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your fitness practitioner before starting any routine.Are these exercises really helpful?Anamika Lalwani, Founder of Lit Fit Dance & Fitness Studio, explains that the core is the body’s powerhouse, and maintaining its strength is crucial for overall health and functionality.Calling it the foundation of all movement, she says that whether you are sitting or standing, or bending or lifting, a strong core supports your body in everything. “It’s not just about achieving defined abs; it’s about stability, balance, and spine protection. Core strength helps prevent injuries, improves posture, and enhances performance in workouts and everyday activities,” she elaborates. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sameera Reddy (@reddysameera)Here are Reddy’s exercises:Glute BridgesGlute bridge as a fundamental exercise that primarily targets the gluteal muscles, comprising the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus. It involves lifting the hips off the ground while keeping the shoulders, hips, and knees in alignment, forming a straight line from the shoulders to the knees at the top of the movement.Supine Heel DropsSupine heel drops are performed lying on your back with knees bent at a 90 degree angle. By alternating lowering one heel to touch the floor while keeping the lower back pressed down, engage the deep abdominal muscles and improve lumbar stability without straining the back.Story continues below this adKnee-Assisted Side PlanksAimed at strengthening the oblique abdominal muscles, side planks help in stabilising core muscles, which include pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques.Knee-Assisted Scapula Push-UpsPush-ups are beneficial for building upper body strength including triceps, pectoral muscles, and shoulders, besides abs. Apart from these, a proper push-up involves the scapula and rhomboids in the back which are typically underworked, rather than the neck and shoulder muscles. This engagement of the back muscles helps improve the posture.ALSO READ | Top 7 expert-recommended oblique exercises to strengthen and tone your coreBird DogsAnother core strengthening exercise, bird dogs are done by raising the opposite arm and leg just parallel to the floor. Keep the core tight so as to not lose balance. Hold for a second, then change. Move your limbs up and down for 5 counts, and then switch. Do not tilt your pelvis to any one side.All in all, core exercises work to strengthen the abdomen, support digestion, and help internal organs stay in their proper place.Story continues below this adDISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your fitness practitioner before starting any routine.