Three standing obliques exercises that will help you build core strength and improve your digestion (yes, really)

Regular readers of Fit&Well will know both how important it is to maintain a strong core and just how many core muscles there are. That's why it's important to vary the movements in your core workouts.

Your core includes the obliques, which are the muscles that run down the sides of the stomach and help with rotation and bending from side to side, among other things.

Pilates instructor Arianna Elizabeth recently shared a workout routine dedicated to strengthening the obliques. It's made up of just three exercises, all of which are done while standing.

But one of the unique benefits of this workout, according to Elizabeth, is that it can also improve your digestion, particularly if you're feeling bloated. That's especially helpful during the holiday period and why I wanted to share this with Fit&Well readers.

How to do the standing obliques workout

You don't need any equipment to do this routine. In fact, it's so quick and easy that you could even do it while you're waiting for a kettle to boil, or as a quick break from work.

Complete 10 reps on each side of your body, three times round.

Can core workouts improve digestion?

You might be surprised that training your core could help with bloating, but there's research that shows gentle movement can improve digestion, and it can even help with IBS symptoms, according to one study.

I've dealt with IBS in the past and still experience bloating regularly, and I find some gentle abdominal movement is one of the most effective ways to reduce my symptoms. I usually opt for some simple stretching exercises, but any kind of movement of my abdominals is helpful.

All of the moves in Elizabeth's workout encourage twisting and stretching the stomach, so it's worth trying if you're suffering from bloating. However, don't force any movement if you're feeling very uncomfortable and make sure to consult a health professional before trying any of the exercises if you have been diagnosed with a digestion issue.