Strengthen your abs in just six minutes with this no-equipment core workout
Boost your balance and improve your posture with this super-short routine
Having defined abs is a popular fitness goal. Commonly referred to as the six pack, these muscles form an important part of your core. And it's well worth working on this area for various fitness reasons, not just aesthetics.
These core strengthening exercises, designed by fitness coach Elise from Elisebodyshop, only take six minute to complete. The moves will target your abs along with other crucial core muscles and you don't need any equipment to do them.
You’ll do each exercise for 45 seconds with a 15-second rest in between. This makes it ideal when you’re tight on time or want a core-focused finisher.
Watch Elisebodyshop's six-minute core workout
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One of the more challenging exercises in this workout is the plank reach. This exercise primarily targets the rectus abdominis (your main, central abs) but it will also fire up your obliques (side abs) and deep core stabilizers.
By assuming a plank position and reaching out with alternating arms, you engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making this an efficient compound exercise for improving various core areas.
If you’re targeting your midsection in an attempt to create visible abs, you’ll also need to reduce the amount of fat around your stomach. You can't spot-target fat in this area, but you can reduce overall body fat.
To do this, you'll need to maintain a calorie deficit, reducing the amount of calories you consume and increasing the amount you expend through exercise and everyday movement. You could try doing some high-energy sessions, like a HIIT workout for fat loss, to burn additional calories.
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As you’ll be working your muscles hard, it’s important to give your body enough protein to repair and strengthen them. The best protein powders for weight loss are ideal for this, as they contain minimal fat and sugar but can still give you a protein boost.
Jessica is an experienced fitness writer with a passion for running. Her career in journalism began in local news and she holds a Masters in journalism. Jessica has previously written for Runners World, penning news and features on fitness, sportswear and nutrition.
When she isn't writing up news and features for Fit&Well covering topics ranging from muscle building, to yoga, to female health and so on, she will be outdoors somewhere, testing out the latest fitness equipment and accessories to help others find top products for their own fitness journeys. Her testing pairs up nicely with her love for running. She recently branched out to running 10Ks and is trying to improve her time before moving on to larger races. Jessica also enjoys building on her strength in the gym and is a believer in health and wellness beginning in the kitchen. She shares all of this on her running Instagram account @jessrunshere which she uses for accountability and for connecting with like-minded fitness lovers.
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