Sit-ups and crunches have always been the go-to bodyweight exercise for anyone looking to tone their abs, but they’re not your only option. If sitting on the floor while working out isn’t your thing, there are certainly more fun ways to engage your core.
No equipment is needed for this exercise, but it’s a good idea to use a yoga mat to protect your floor from sweat. You’ll be on the move for a full 20 minutes, so it’s a pretty sweaty session.
This standing abs workout from a fitness trainer Growing up with Joe It’s low-impact and perfect for beginners, but any gym-goer can benefit from this routine. You’ll be on your feet the entire session, and it’s more like a dance than a traditional workout, so if you keep moving to the rhythm, the time will fly by.
Watch GrowWithJo’s 20-Minute Standing Abs Workout
Once you start the workout, there are no rest periods, although you can of course take a break whenever you need to. You do each exercise for 40 seconds before moving on to the next one, with Jo demonstrating the next move next to you on the screen for the last 5 seconds of the current exercise.
Instead of typical bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges, this flow-type workout involves lifting and bending your legs in rhythm to train your abdominal muscles. The constant movement also increases your heart rate, providing a positive effect on your cardiovascular system while burning calories.
It’s a great workout for beginners who can keep going for the entire session as none of the movements are too difficult. You’ll likely take breaks to drink water every now and then so it’s a good idea to keep a great water bottle nearby to stay hydrated.
Unlike traditional ab workouts that aim to fatigue your muscles with extended efforts that directly target your upper and lower abs, this standing workout builds your overall fitness while working your muscles in a way that strengthens them, but isn’t so intense that it leaves your core sore for days afterwards.
This type of aerobic exercise is a great way to increase your overall daily activity and can help you reach the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week recommended by most major health organizations. U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesThis exercise will also likely improve your mood, making you feel less tired and more energetic for the rest of your day.
If you prefer a more traditional approach that focuses more directly on your abs, this 20-minute bodyweight ab workout is designed to target every part of your torso, including your obliques and upper and lower abs. However, it doesn’t involve dancing, so it’s objectively less fun.
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