The 5 Minute Ab Routine I Swear By
Summer is almost HERE! Which means it is the perfect time to work on that core.
I was a distance runner in high school and at every track practice our coach would have us do 5 minutes of abs, 5 days a week. Our coach would ask us to go around and each pick an abdominal exercise to do for 1 minute. Ever since then, I have lived by doing these core exercises along with Sweet Sweat and they have yet to fail me. Today I am going to show you 5 of my favorites that I hope will leave you feeling strong (and maybe a bit sore!)
As always, listen to your body and use modifications if you need to. Get your timer ready, roll out your yoga mat, lather on some Sweet Sweat and work those abs!
Bicycle Crunches
- Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed into your mat
- Interlace your fingers gently behind your head
- Float your legs up to a table top position. Engage your core.
- Lift your head and keep your shoulder blades hovered above the mat without pulling on your neck
- Straighten your right leg while turning the upper body left.
- Bring your right elbow towards your left knee & twist at the ribs
- Switch and continue alternating for 1 MINUTE
Heel Taps
- Lie on your back with knees bent and arms next to sides
- Hover your shoulder blades above the ground
- Reach right hand to tap right heel, and then repeat on the left side
- Keep core engaged & continue alternating for 1 MINUTE
Russian Twists
Weight is optional
- Sit on the floor and bring your legs out straight
- Lean back slightly so your torso and legs form a v-like shape
- Engage your core
- Twist your torso from side to side without moving your legs
- Continue twisting for 1 MINUTE
Flutter Kicks
- Lie on your back with your palms at your sides or under your hips
- Fully extend both legs and lift them about 5 inches above the ground
- Keeping your core engaged, alternate between your right and left leg, lifting each 45 degrees in the air and lowering to the starting position
- Continue alternating in the air for 1 MINUTE
Plank
- Start in a high plank/push-up position
- Bend elbows and rest weight on forearms
- Your body should form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles
- Engage your core, quadriceps, and glutes
- Hold for 1 MINUTE & don’t forget to breathe!
Aim to do this routine once a week and slowly work your way up to daily ab sessions! Once you begin building core strength, challenge yourself to do longer intervals & work different areas.
Share with us your go-to ab routine and tag @sweetsweatau on IG for a chance to be featured!
