Your core forms the foundation of your body. It supports every action you perform, whether it’s lifting groceries or getting up from the floor. After the age of 50, maintaining a strong core becomes even more essential. If you wish to maintain mobility, prevent injuries, and continue being active as you age, focusing on your core becomes crucial.

Many men rely on crunches alone, but true core strength is much more comprehensive. It encompasses the ability to resist twisting, stabilize your spine, and manage movement under strain. Basic core evaluations can therefore shed light on your stability, endurance, and even your postural effectiveness.

Working as a performance coach, I’ve collaborated with numerous men in their 50s, 60s, and older. Men who dedicate themselves to consistent core assessment and training often feel more assured, have improved mobility, and incur fewer injuries. They have better posture, move with greater speed, and bounce back faster since they’ve fortified their strength internally.

In this article, you’ll find four of the most essential core tests I use with clients over 50. Each one offers a clear view of how your core competencies stack up and where they may be falling short. You’ll get full instructions, expert tips, and score rankings to know precisely where you stand.

4 Core Tests Every Man 50+ Should Try

Core Test #1: Plank Hold for Time

You probably guessed that this staple of a core test would be on this list. The plank hold is the ultimate foundational core test. It assesses your ability to maintain a neutral spine under tension, a skill crucial for protecting your back during everyday tasks such as bending, lifting, or twisting. For men over 50, the ability to hold a plank shows spinal stability and muscular endurance. These two things directly impact how long you can stay active and independent.

Muscles Tested: Rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, internal and external obliques, erector spinae, glutes

How to Do It:

1. Place your forearms on the ground directly under your shoulders.
2. Extend your legs behind you and balance on your toes.
3. Squeeze your glutes, engage your core, and keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
4. Hold the position without letting your hips sag or pike up.
5. Stop the clock once you lose proper form.

Core Tip: Breathe deeply and rhythmically to engage your abdominal muscles. (Think deep belly breaths).

Score Ranking:

• Excellent: 2+ minutes
• Good: 1 to 2 minutes
• Fair: 30 to 60 seconds
• Poor: Under 30 seconds

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Core Test #2: Dead Bug for Control and Coordination

The dead bug is a test of core control, coordination, and lower back stability. It teaches you how to engage your deep core muscles while moving your arms and legs independently, a must-have skill for maintaining good posture, improving gait, and preventing injuries. For men over 50, this test reveals how well your core can function under dynamic stress.

Muscles Tested: Transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, obliques, hip flexors, spinal stabilizers

How to Do It:

1. Lie on your back with your arms extended toward the ceiling and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
2. Press your lower back into the floor to engage your core.
3. Slowly lower your right arm and left leg toward the floor at the same time.
4. Return to the starting position, then repeat on the opposite side.
5. Complete 10 controlled reps per side without losing spinal contact with the floor.

Core Tip: Keep your lower back pressed to the floor, and pull your hips to your belly button.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Score Ranking:

• Excellent: 10 perfect reps per side
• Good: 8 to 10 reps with minor form corrections
• Fair: 6 to 8 reps with noticeable compensation
• Poor: Fewer than 6 quality reps

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Core Test #3: Side Plank Hold (Each Side)

The side plank tests your lateral core stability, something most traditional ab exercises ignore entirely. If one side of your core is significantly weaker, it can lead to poor balance, increased fall risk, or lower back strain. Every man over 50 should be able to hold a strong side plank on both sides, without sagging or shaking.

Muscles Tested: Obliques, glute medius, quadratus lumborum, transverse abdominis, shoulder stabilizers

How to Do It:

1. Lie on your side with your elbow directly under your shoulder.
2. Stack your feet and lift your hips off the floor to form a straight line from head to heels.
3. Keep your top hand on your hip or extended toward the ceiling.
4. Hold without letting your hips drop or rotate.
5. Repeat on the other side.

Core Tip: Push through the floor with your bottom elbow to stabilize your shoulder and avoid sinking.

Score Ranking:

• Excellent: 60+ seconds per side
• Good: 45 to 60 seconds
• Fair: 30 to 45 seconds
• Poor: Under 30 seconds

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Core Test #4: Hollow Body Hold

The hollow body hold is one of the most underrated core tests for older men. It demands full-body tension, lumbar spine stability, and deep core strength. If you want to protect your back, improve posture, and reinforce total-body coordination, this test gives you instant feedback on what’s working and what’s not.

Muscles Tested: Rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, hip flexors, obliques, quads

How to Do It:

1. Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended.
2. Lift your shoulders and legs a few inches off the ground while pressing your lower back into the floor.
3. Keep your arms straight and in line with your ears.
4. Maintain a tight, hollow position without letting your lower back arch.
5. Hold for time.

Core Tip: Start with bent knees if the full version is too hard. Progress gradually to a full hollow hold.

Score Ranking:

• Excellent: 40+ seconds
• Good: 30 to 40 seconds
• Fair: 15 to 30 seconds
• Poor: Under 15 seconds

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The Most Effective Tips for Building a Strong Core

You’ve tested your core. Now it’s time to strengthen it. Here’s how to turn weaknesses into strengths.

• Train your core in all planes of motion: include anti-extension exercises (such as planks), anti-rotation exercises (like Pallof presses), and anti-lateral flexion exercises (like side planks).
• Prioritize quality over quantity: Perfect form under control beats sloppy reps every time.
• Don’t skip stability work: Use movements like dead bugs, bird dogs, and carries to reinforce control and stability.
• Add resistance: Use bands, cables, or dumbbells to challenge your core through loaded carries and rotations.
• Breathe with control: Exhale fully to train your deep core, especially during bracing exercises.
• Consistency is king: A few focused minutes of core training three to four times per week is all you need.