Strong and toned abs are not only sexy, they're essential for a strong core and can help reduce back pain. The lower part of your abs can be tough to work, so we've created a short workout — it's under five minutes — that targets that area! The workout requires no equipment so you can do it at home, and it's quiet too.

High Knees

This exercise is great for warming up. It gets the blood flowing, but as you raise the knee up, you're working your low abs.

• Hold your hands at waist level and bring the knee up to your hands as you run.
• Do this for 60 seconds (c'mon, you can do anything for a minute).

Toe Touch Lower Crunch

After warming up, this small but focused exercise will wake up your lower abs.

• Lie on your back on the floor, raising your arms and legs to a 90-degree angle. Lift your head and shoulder blades off the floor as you reach your fingers toward your toes.
• Pull your abs to your spine as you lift your pelvis an inch off the ground, bringing your toes toward your fingers. This is a small, concentrated movement. Then lower your pelvis to complete the rep.
• Do 30 reps.

Knee Driver

Drawing the knee will focus the work on your lower abs, but holding the elbow plank also works your shoulders and upper back.

• 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. Now draw the right knee into the chest and then step it back to the elbow plank position.
• This counts as one rep.
• Continue alternating sides and do as many reps as you can with good form in one minute.

Half Banana

Roll-ups work the entire abdominal wall, but adding the leg lift focuses the work on your lower abs.

• Start lying on your back with your arms reaching toward the ceiling.
• Exhale and roll up toward sitting while lifting your left leg up. Pause at the top and reach for your toes before rolling slowly back down to the mat as you lower your leg. Then perform on the other side to complete one rep.
• Complete as many reps as you can with good form for one minute.

Tabletop to Pike

This is a full-body exercise, but your lower abs will be burning after 10 reps (along with your triceps).

• Start in a tabletop position with your back parallel to the floor and fingers pointing toward your toes. Inhale and lift your hips off of the ground so your torso is parallel with the floor and your arms are straight (bridge).
• Exhale to lower your hips and straighten out the legs, keeping your hips hovering above the floor as you come to the pike position. Make sure your pelvis moves behind your hands. Bend your knees and push yourself back into tabletop position. Keep the move smooth and controlled.
• Do 10 reps.