Constructing your abs accomplishes more than just making you look sleek. A strong core, in fact, can improve posture, stability, and alignment, as well as reduce sports-related injuries and low back pain. Strong abs can also make everyday activities like going up the stairs or sitting at your desk for long periods of time simpler.
The good news is that you don’t even need a gym membership to enhance your core because most ab exercises can be done at home.
Here are personal trainers’ favourite at-home ab workouts, complete with step-by-step instructions.
Heel tap
- Lie on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle and your feet off the ground.
- Extend one foot to touch the floor while keeping your knees bent, then return to the starting position.
- Rep 10 times on each leg for a total of 20 reps.
Muscles to be worked: Lower abdominals
Leg lower
- Begin with your legs at a 90-degree angle directly overhead.
- Slowly lower your legs four to five inches, keeping them hovering in the air for 5-10 seconds.
- Return to the 90-degree angle and perform the exercise 10 times.
Reduce your leg length until you feel your core muscles activate.
Muscle targeted: Lower abs
Russian twists
- Sit up straight, knees bent, feet in front of you.
- Lift your feet off the ground about a foot and engage your core.
- Twist your upper body to one side while keeping your legs straight in front of you.
- Rep on the opposite side. Perform 10 reps on each side.
Hold a dumbbell or a medicine ball for added intensity.
Obliques are the muscles targeted.
Side plank with dips
- Press yourself up into a side plank position by placing one elbow directly under your body.
- Lower your hip until it is just above the ground, then use your core to return to the starting position.
- Repeat the exercise for 10 reps on the same side, then switch sides.
To reduce strain, place your front knee down.
Standing knee to hands
- Stand tall with your arms overhead.
- Bring your knees to meet your hands and lower your arms.
- Repeat for 10 reps on the same side, then switch legs.
Hold a dumbbell or a medicine ball for added intensity.
Targeted muscle: Lower abdominals
Standing oblique crunch
- Stand tall, feet wide apart, and lower into a wide-leg squat.
- Lower your upper body towards one knee, then the other, with your hands behind your head.
- Rep 10 reps on each side for a total of 20 reps.
Obliques are the muscles targeted.