This 20-minute kettlebell abs workout torches fat, builds a stronger core

Develop practical six-pack muscle, improve stability, reduce the risk of injury, and promote circulation with this routine

Whether your goal is six-pack abs or developing mid-body muscle, building a stronger core is one of the best training goals. Your core aids stability, reduces the risk of injury, and promotes good circulation. 

This 20-minute kettlebell abs workout is an excellent way to work your abs, thanks to the addition of these cast-iron weights. It's worth keeping the best kettlebells handy for all your training, but it's essential here. 

When gripping the weight in one hand and swinging, lifting, or holding it, the mass forces your body off-center, activating your core to stabilize things. Plus, they give you an arm workout too!

This routine comes from popular fitness YouTuber DanielPT. The certified personal trainer focuses on helping others get sustainable results without losing out on socializing or enjoying food. 

During this short kettlebell HIIT routine, you'll train for 40 seconds, rest for 20 seconds, then progress to the next move. There are 20 exercises in total, with a mixture of kettlebell and bodyweight moves for variety. 

Watch DanielPT's kettlebell abs workout

Daniel uses 12kg, 14kg, and 16kg kettlebells, but you use weights you're comfortable with to avoid injury. Rather than invest in a range of weights, an adjustable kettlebell might be the best option. 

These combine several weights into one unit, with mechanisms for you to quickly adjust the weight between sets. The JAXJOX KettlebellConnect is an excellent option and ranges between 5kg and 19kg. 

Because there are no specific rep targets, this routine looks like a form of AMRAP workout. This is where you aim to complete As Many Reps As Possible, or as many rounds as possible, in a given timeframe. 

In these workouts, you aim for consistent high-intensity training without any rest. In DanielPT's routine, there are 20 seconds of rest each minute, which really makes this a form of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). 

HIIT routines elevate your heart rate, which is why they are such an effective form of training. By keeping the intensity up, you can use a short HIIT workout to kick start all-day fat burning. 

If you're looking to add more core training into your week, then it's worth using the best workouts for abs for equipment-free exercise. These moves can be done anywhere and will help you build a stronger core in no time. 

James Frew
Fitness Editor

James is a London-based journalist and Fitness Editor at Fit&Well. He has over five years experience in fitness tech, including time spent as the Buyer’s Guide Editor and Staff Writer at technology publication MakeUseOf. In 2014 he was diagnosed with a chronic health condition, which spurred his interest in health, fitness, and lifestyle management.


In the years since, he has become a devoted meditator, experimented with workout styles and exercises, and used various gadgets to monitor his health. In recent times, James has been absorbed by the intersection between mental health, fitness, sustainability, and environmentalism. When not concerning himself with health and technology, James can be found excitedly checking out each week’s New Music Friday releases.