What sports or activities work out abs/core intensely without specifically being an ab/core exercise?
I enjoy exercising, but far more when it's an activity like running, biking, rowing, yoga, rock climbing, etc... It's ok with me if those activities take place in a gym, like treadmills, just not a specific gym exercises like a bench press, lat pulls, etc.
Of all the exercises one can do in the gym, by far my least favorite are those targeting my core and abs.
With that, can anyone recommend things that are ab/core heavy activities?
To define that in negative. Not any of these routines healthandstyle.com/fitness/no-crunch-ab-exercises/
Kayaking comes to mind, but there must be others that give an intense ab workout?
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Sports that require the co-ordinated movement of the upper and lower body will naturally activate your abs/core muscles. Sports in which this rotational movement is constant will give the abs/core muscles an intense workout.
Some obvious examples I can think of (I'm sure there's more):
Kayaking (As you mentioned):
The abdominal rotation and the paddling motion will activate the abs/core muscles. The obliques will be hit hard when trying to control your balance against a heavy current or when making sharp turns.
Volleyball
Mid-flight maneuvers E.G. Spiking & blocking a volleyball, dynamically activates the abs/core. During a spiking maneuver, the upper body will tense and rotate sharply to transfer power to the shoulders and arms.
Swimming
It is important to contract the abs/core muscles to have a streamlined posture when aiming to glide through the water.
A strong core will act as the base from which to rotate for each stroke.
Gymnastics
Exercises like the handstand etc. will work the abs/core when trying to maintain good balance and posture. I imagine this is the case for most gymnastic exercises.
The rings exercise comes to mind as something of an extremely intense abs/core workout.
Lastly, I would like to point out that there is plenty of weight exercises which indirectly work the abs/core.
E.G. Overhead press (requires you to brace your core to prevent your back arching), Renegade row (basically an advanced plank) etc etc.
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