With a Master of Science in Dietetics and Exercise Science, 11 years of experience in fitness, and 5 years in nutrition, Hollee Mohni is a professional dedicated to improving individuals' health and confidence through sustainable habits.
If you are ready to embark on a journey toward sculpted abs and a stronger core, you have come to the right place! Whether you’re a fitness newbie or someone who’s been away from the workout scene for a while, this beginner’s guide to short ab workouts should set you on the right path. People often have a misconception that to have abs one needs to use fancy equipment for long hours. We’re here to tell you how to get sculpted with the best short ab workout routines that require no equipment—just determination and a little floor space. Let’s dive in and discover how to achieve those coveted washboard abs!
Before we jump into the tips and tricks, let’s quickly understand why ab exercises matter. Apart from aesthetics, a strong core plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and mobility. The abdominal muscles stabilize our spine, improve posture, and enhance athletic performance (13). Plus, who doesn’t want to rock a crop top or confidently strut on the beach with a chiseled set of abs?
Let’s explore the world of ab workouts and evaluate how effective short routines can be. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a busy bee trying to squeeze in exercise during a hectic day, you should understand the impact of ab workouts that are as short as 5 minutes. Buckle up because we’re about to uncover the science behind those quick core-blasting workouts for men and women!
Here are 10 reasons why short ab workouts can be incredibly effective (5,14,10):
Remember, consistency and quality are key. Embrace those short ab sessions and watch your core transform! For more details about lying abdominal stretches, take a look at our prior blog.
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This 10-Minute Total Core Workout is beginner-friendly and designed to target all areas of your core—upper, lower, and obliques. Remember, consistency is key, so aim to perform this workout a few times a week.
Let’s break it down:
Remember to breathe through the workout and listen to your body. Dive deeper into the Lying Abdominal Stretch with our dedicated article. If you’re new to working out, start with shorter durations and gradually increase repetitions as you build strength. And most importantly, don’t forget to hydrate—water fuels those muscles!
Our previous post goes into detail about the Flat Tummy Workouts.
If you are after the coveted six-pack abs, then how frequently you train your core muscles comes into play. It is a common misconception that in order to have abs you need to work your abs every day. A workout routine that drives results is a balanced one. Let’s take a deeper look into the ABCs of ab workout, along with tips from experts, to help you make the most of your workouts without compromising recovery.
Research suggests that more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to ab workouts. In fact, one study found that three days of training in a week didn’t show significant improvement in endurance, compared to just one day of training per week. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to work in short ab workouts two to three times a week. This allows for adequate activation and recovery, which are essential for muscle growth and strength gains.
It is important to remember that the quality and posture of ab workouts are more crucial rather than sheer volume. Aim for eight to 16 sets per week, with an intensity of six to 20+ reps per set (7).
Introduce a variety of basic and advanced ab exercises to target different muscle groups. Start with fundamental moves like crunches, leg raises, and planks. After you get those down, challenge yourself with more complex exercises such as Russian twists, hanging leg raises, or dragon flags.
Read more: Thigh Workout Guide: 7 Effective Exercises for Building Leg Strength
Allow your abs to recover between sets. One day of rest between ab workouts is recommended. Overtraining can hinder muscle development and increase the risk of injury. Remember that your core muscles also play a role in compound lifts like lunges, deadlifts, and squats, so prioritize recovery for optimal performance in those exercises. (15)
It should go without saying that aside from ab workouts, what you eat each day plays a crucial role as well. Focus on maintaining a healthy diet and overall calorie deficit to get those six-packs. Hydrate well, eat nutrient-dense foods, consume enough protein and maintain calorie deficit (11).
Remember, consistency, proper form, and a balanced approach are key to strengthening your core. Train smart, recover well, and enjoy the journey to getting those washboard abs!
To learn more about the ab workout for women, check out our in-depth article on the topic.
When it comes to abs, we often dream of a chiseled six-pack as the pinnacle of fitness. Pop culture helps build this image by promising rapid results through crash diets, detox teas, and extreme calorie restriction. However, there’s more to core development than aesthetics alone. A strong core not only gives you a beach body but also contributes to your overall well-being. It stabilizes your spine during functional movements, reduces the risk of injury, and supports a healthier lower back. Don’t give into the allure of shortcuts yet, read on to weigh the pros and cons of getting there with shortcuts vs gradual strength-building.
Read on for tips from professional trainers on short ab workouts at home or short ab workouts for beginners. The tips and tricks below are good for both men and women:
It is aptly said, ‘most good things in life don’t come easy’, but you can achieve what you put your mind to just by showing up every day. Uncover the surprising benefits of Ab Workout for Women in our past article on this.
BetterMe app will provide you with a host of fat-frying fitness routines that’ll scare the extra pounds away and turn your body into a masterpiece! Get your life moving in the right direction with BetterMe!
There is a common misconception that in order to have core strength you need to do long or extreme ab workouts. What most people don’t realize is that one can achieve just as good a result with short ab workouts. Whether you’re aiming for a sculpted six-pack or simply want a strong core, understanding the nuances of ab training make a significant difference.
Let us debunk the myth that doing ab workouts need to be long, once and for all.
When it comes to ab workouts, there’s a common misconception that more is always better. We’ve all seen those grueling ab routines that seem to stretch on forever—endless crunches, leg raises, and planks. But do you really need to spend hours sweating it out to achieve those coveted washboard abs? Let’s separate fact from fiction and explore the science behind ab training.
Improving core strength and stability is a worthwhile goal, but many people may confuse ab workouts with those that can burn fat. Exercises that build muscle and improve functions of your abdominals are not necessarily the same ones that might reduce the size of your midsection. While waist size can be an indicator of disease risk, it is only a small part of a larger picture when it comes to overall health(2).
Here’s the truth: You don’t have to do a single crunch to get a great ab workout. Yes, you read that correctly! Doing thousands of crunches or multi-hour ab sessions isn’t necessary to stimulate abdominal muscle growth. In fact, it could be counterproductive. Let’s break it down:
Now, let’s address the burning question: How long should your ab workout be? The answer varies based on individual factors:
Just as your abs don’t require as much direct training as larger muscle groups, they also don’t demand marathon workouts. Here are the “laws” to abide by:
Read more: Your Flat Tummy Workouts Just Got Better With This Guide
While there’s no overnight solution, a combination of crunch variations and plank exercises can help you work those abs effectively.
Unfortunately, abs exercise alone won’t shrink your stomach. To reduce belly fat, focus on a nutrient-rich diet, calorie deficit and total-body fat loss through cardio exercises and resistance training.
You can train your abs every day, but it’s not necessary. Rest days between ab workouts are important for muscle recovery and overall health.
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