It feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything we’re supposed to do: get a full night’s sleep, work or attend classes, take care of things around the house, catch up with friends, find time to decompress. There are days when it just doesn’t seem possible to squeeze a workout into an already jam-packed schedule. So, when I decided I wanted to focus a bit more on building core strength, I knew I would need to find a simple routine I could actually maintain. I landed on just six minutes of abdominal exercises every day – and after just one week, I can already feel the difference. Keep reading for the details on my routine, and consider trying it for yourself.
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60-Second Elbow Plank
The first exercise is simply holding a plank for 60 seconds. I usually do an elbow plank, but if it’s more comfortable, you can also hold a plank in push-up position with your arms extended straight underneath your shoulders. Either way, make sure your back is flat.
- Start on the floor, resting on your forearms and knees.
- Step your feet out one at a time, coming into a plank position.
- Contract your abs to prevent your booty from sticking up or sinking. Your spine should be parallel to the floor, with your abs pulling toward the ceiling.
- Hold for 60 seconds.
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30-Second Side Elbow Planks
For the next exercise, you’ll move into a side plank. Follow the instructions below, holding the plank for 30 seconds before switching sides.
- Begin by lying on your side. Bring your right elbow directly under your right shoulder. Engage your core, press your right elbow into the floor, and rise into side elbow plank.
- Stagger your feet so your left foot is just in front of your right, or stack the heels.
- Reach your left arm up toward the ceiling, which will help you lift your waist.
- Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides.
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60 Seconds of Crunches
For the next 60 seconds, the goal is to do as many crunches as possible while maintaining proper form. Keep your arms soft, so they’re not pulling on the back or side of your head.
- Sit on your mat and bend your knees, planting your feet on the floor. Put your palms behind your ears.
- As you exhale, pull your abs in and lift your upper body. Inhale as you lower back down.
- Keep your chin down to keep your neck from straining, and make sure your ribs are aligned with your hips.
- Do as many reps as you can in 60 seconds.
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60 Seconds of Oblique V-Crunches
Follow the instructions below to really target those obliques, doing as many reps as you can for 30 seconds before switching sides.
- Lie on your right side, with your left hand behind your head and your right hand on the floor.
- Press down into your right hand as you raise your straight legs off the floor, bringing your torso toward your legs.
- Lower yourself back to the floor with control. This completes one rep.
- Do as many reps as you can in 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.
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60 Seconds of Straight-Leg Sit-Ups
For this exercise, the goal is, again, to complete as many sit-ups as possible while also maintaining your form.
- Begin on your back with your legs straight and arms raised toward the ceiling.
- Roll up to sitting, focusing on the abs rounding the back. Roll back down to the mat slowly, one vertebra at a time.
- Do as many reps as you can in 60 seconds.
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60-Second Elbow Plank With Hip Dips
Congrats – you’ve made it to the final exercise! This one will really carve your waistline. Just make sure you watch your form.
- From an elbow plank position, slowly rotate the spine to lower your right hip to just above the floor. Come back to elbow plank.
- Now lower the left hip toward the floor.
- This counts as 1 rep. Repeat for 60 seconds.
