Take 3 Minutes to Work on Flatter, More Toned Abs
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A strong core helps with posture, relieving back pain, and even provides extra power and stability in your other workouts! Plus, the tummy-tightening effects of doing some great core work aren't bad, either.
These toning, strengthening moves are challenging, but so simple. You don't need any equipment, and you'll work all angles of your abs, including the lower part of your rectus abdominis (that six-pack zone!) to keep things nice and balanced. With four moves in just three minutes, you can squeeze this into any part of your day or tack it on to your gym routine. Every day is ab day!
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Knee Drivers
- Begin with your weight on your left foot and your hands together in front of you for balance.
- Bend your left knee and extend your right leg behind you, placing little to no weight in the right toes.
- Drive your right knee toward your chest, bringing your hands to meet your knee.
- Re-extend your right leg behind you. This completes one rep.
- Continue for 30 seconds on this side, then switch sides.
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High Knee March Twist
- Start with your right foot extended back behind you and your hands together, reaching up and out (at about a 45-degree angle from your face). Keep your core tight and keep the weight in your left foot, with little to no weight in the right foot.
- Drive your right knee up and toward your chest as you bring your hands down and twist your upper body to the right.
- Re-extend your hands up and out while you tap your right foot back behind you. Tip: keep a soft bend in the knees.
- Repeat, continuing for 30 seconds. Then repeat on the left side for 30 seconds.
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Plank Jacks
- Begin in plank position, with your shoulders over your wrists, your body in one straight line, and your feet together.
- Like the motion of a jumping jack, jump your legs wide and then back together. Jump as quickly as you want, but keep your pelvis steady and don't let your booty rise toward the ceiling.
- Continue for 30 seconds.
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Plank to Pike Jumps
- Begin in plank position with your feet together. Keep your upper body stable and engage your abs. Don't let your lower back arch.
- Keep the weight in your hands as you draw your navel toward your spine.
- Use your abs to pull your your hips directly up while keeping your legs straight, and jump your feet forward, landing in pike position.
- Jump your feet back to plank, keeping your core tight and stable.
- Continue for 30 seconds.