At-Home Abs — This Is a Workout You Can Do Anywhere

Updated on 6/11/2018 at 1:50 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Ericka McConnell

If you want strong and toned abs, you're going to have to work those muscles from all angles. Basic crunches won't do. Here's a five-move workout that fires up your core, carves your waist, and flattens your belly. You can do this workout anywhere since it doesn't require much room and no equipment is needed. Yep. It's basically excuse-proof! It's also a great workout for after a run or ride.

Directions: Do 20 reps of each exercise, and do two to three sets.

Scissor abs
Elbow plank knee driver
Butterfly crunch
Side elbow plank with pulse
Twister mountain climber

Keep reading to learn more details on each exercise.

Scissors

Reps: 20, alternating sides

Lie on your back with both legs in the air. Place your hands behind your head and lift head and shoulders off the mat, keeping elbows wide lower your left leg to floor and twist through your rib cage to bring your left elbow toward your right knee. This completes one rep.
Keep your abs pulled to your spine and switch legs.

Knee Driver

Reps: 20, alternating sides

Begin in an elbow plank position with the abs engaged.
Draw the left knee into the chest. Then step the foot back to the elbow plank position. This counts as one rep.
Now draw the right knee into the chest and then step it back to the elbow plank position.
Continue alternating sides for 20 reps.

Butterfly Crunch

Reps: 20

Lie on your back with your knees open and the soles of your feet together (in a butterfly position). Lengthen your arms overhead so they are resting on the floor.
Exhale and bring your hands and knees toward each other, performing a full-body crunch. Your shoulder blades should be off the mat as your perform a small reverse crunch, lifting your pelvis a bit off the mat. Hold this position for a moment and really feel your abs squeezing.
Slowly lower your arms and feet back to starting position to complete one rep.

Side Elbow Plank With Pulse

Reps: 20 pulses, each side

Start in a side elbow plank on your right side.
Lower your hips slightly and then lift your pelvis up, feeling the right side of your body engage, especially your abs. This completes one rep.
Lower your hips, and raise your pelvis and keep pulsing for 20 reps, then switch sides.

Twisted Mountain Climber

Reps: 20, alternating sides

Start in a traditional plank with shoulders over hands and weight on your toes.
With your core engaged, twist to bring your right knee forward under to your left elbow. Return to your basic plank to complete a rep. Switch legs, bringing the left knee forward to the right knee for your second rep.