Basketball Core Workouts for Beginner and Advanced Players

The core muscles are the epicenter of power and stability for every basketball player. A strong and responsive core is crucial for maintaining balance during a quick crossover, absorbing contact on a drive to the basket, or rising up for a commanding rebound.

It’s the foundation that allows for coordinated movements, protects against injuries, and maximizes performance.

Yet, amid the focus on perfecting jump shots and defensive stances, core training can sometimes fall by the wayside. That’s a critical mistake, as the best players know.

A well-designed basketball core workout isn’t just about sculpting a six-pack—it’s about crafting a pillar of power that can withstand the rigors of a grueling season while providing the torque necessary for explosive movements.

I’ve been a College Strength and Conditioning Coach for 20 years and have been able to work with some elite-level basketball players. In this article, I will share with you 10 basketball core workouts that you can start incorporating into your training today.

Basketball Core Workouts

These core workouts incorporate different pieces of equipment, from medicine balls to pull-up bars to exercises that can be done with only your bodyweight.

They also all focus on different areas of emphasis – from core stability to endurance to core strength.

Finally, each style of workout will have both a beginner workout plan and an advanced workout plan. I would recommend most basketball players start with the beginner version and then work their way up toward the advanced plan.

Bodyweight Core Workout

This is the type of core workout that most basketball players are probably familiar with. Bodyweight exercises have two big advantages:

Because they don’t require any equipment, these core exercises can be done anywhere, anytime (in other words, no excuses!).

Second, bodyweight core exercises are great for building muscular endurance. They can be done for high reps and thus, help basketball players build the kind of stamina that can carry over to those late-game situations.

Bodyweight Core Workout – Beginner

This workout should be done circuit-style. Do the first set of each exercise with minimal rest in between each exercise. Then, take a short break (30-45 seconds) and roll through the second set of each exercise.

	Exercise	Sets x Reps
1A	Crunches	2 x 15
1B	Oblique Crunches (Left over Right)	2 x 15
1C	Oblique Crunches (Right over Left)	2 x 15
1D	Back Crunches	2 x 15

Bodyweight Core Workout – Advanced

The advanced version incorporates more challenging core exercises and increases the overall volume.

	Exercise	Sets and Reps
1A	V-ups	2 x 25
1B	Russian Twist	2 x 25
1C	Sky Crunches	2 x 25
1D	Supermans	2 x 25

Plank Workout

Planks are one of my favorite core exercises for basketball players (or really any athlete).

This Plank series emphasizes core stability and learning how to properly brace the core through a series of isometric core movements.

Plank Workout – Beginner

The beginner version sticks to the two main plank variations, Front Planks and Side Planks. Do the Front Plank, followed immediately by a Side Plank on both sides (90 seconds total). Rest for 1 minute and repeat for the second set.

	Exercise	Sets and Time
1A	Front Plank	2 x 30 seconds
1B	Side Plank (left)	2 x 30 seconds
1C	Side Plank (right)	2 x 30 seconds

Plank Workout – Advanced

The advanced version of the plank series adds some movement to the plank to increase the difficulty and extends the total amount of time for the hold.

	Exercise	Sets & Time/Reps
1A	Front Plank	2 x 45 seconds
1B	Side Plank w/ Leg Lift (right)	2 x 15 reps
1C	Side Plank w/ Leg Lift (left)	2 x 15 reps
1D	Boat Pose	2 x 30 seconds

Medicine Ball Core Workout

Incorporating a medicine ball into your core workouts can really elevate them to the next level. A medicine ball allows you to add more dynamic core exercises to your strength program and develop explosive core power.

Medicine Ball Core Workout – Beginner

The beginner variation sticks to the most common medicine ball exercises that focus on building a powerful core.

Like the workouts above, this one is also done circuit style – completing the first set of each exercise before moving on to the second set.

	Exercise	Sets and Reps
1A	Medicine Ball Slams	2 x 10
1B	Medicine Ball Side Throws (left)	2 x 10
1C	Medicine Ball Side Throws (right)	2 x 10

Medicine Ball Core Workout – Advanced

The advanced version adds an additional (and more challenging in my opinion) exercise along with upping the reps for each set.

	Exercise	Sets and Reps
1A	Medicine Ball Slams	2 x 15
1B	Medicine Ball Side Throws (left)	2 x 15
1C	Medicine Ball Side Throws (right)	2 x 15
1D	Sit-up and Throw	2 x 15

Hanging Abs Workout

Hanging ab exercises are some of the most difficult to be able to learn and execute. However, that’s also the reason they’re some of the most effective movements for building an extremely strong core.

Plus, not only are hanging core exercises great for developing core strength, but they’re also great for improving upper body strength as well. Win-win!

For this workout, you’ll need a pull-up bar – either within a power rack or a wall-mounted bar.

Hanging Abs Workout – Beginner

The beginner version focuses on a couple of the more beginner-friendly and easier to execute movements. Both of these exercises are great for building core strength and laying the building blocks to move on to the more advanced exercises.

Because these exercises are more strength-focused, I suggest doing each set one at a time with 20 to 30 seconds rest in between each set (instead of the higher tempo circuit-style sets above).

	Exercise	Sets and Reps
1	Hanging Knee Raises	3 x 10
2	Hanging Leg Raises	3 x 10

Hanging Abs Workout – Advanced

The advanced version contains a couple of the most difficult movements to pull off in the weight room, period. Have patience and don’t get frustrated if it takes a while before you’re able to pull this workout off.

	Exercise	Sets and Reps
1	Knees to Elbows	2 x 10
2	Toes to Bar	2 x 10
3	Windshield Wipers	2 x 8e

Core Workouts – Before or After the Lift?

This is one of the most common questions that I receive from basketball players. The question is referring to whether it’s better to do your core training prior to the rest of your strength training or at the end.

While I will sometimes incorporate a set or two of abs within a warm-up, I believe it’s best to hold off until the end of your workout for your high-intensity core work.

Many compound exercises require a tremendous amount of core strength and stability (Olympic lifts, Squats, etc). Heavily fatiguing your core before performing these types of movements could potentially lead to reduced performance, or worse, injury.

Final Thoughts

We’ve dissected the critical importance of building core strength, explored various workouts, and highlighted the game-changing benefits that follow a dedicated core training regimen.

Whether your goal is to dunk with more authority, defend with unwavering stability, or simply enjoy the game with a lower risk of injury, a well-conceived core workout is your undisputed ally. Remember, the strength of your game is only as formidable as the strength of your core.

So, as you return to the gym or the court, carry with you the knowledge that each core workout is an investment—a deposit into the account of your athletic potential, paying dividends in the form of every swift move and powerful play.

Now, with the foundation laid and the strategy set, it’s time to embrace the grind and let your core lead the way to basketball greatness.

Share This