Are you dreaming of getting a six-pack? This 5-minute abs workout can help you achieve a flatter stomach faster. You'll do 10 exercises, each for 30 seconds, and be over and done with in no time. Do this super-fast home workout before your breakfast or after a full-body workout for the best results!
This exercise routine is what's called a 'mat pilates', a simple workout that only involves an exercise mat and your body weight. For advanced exercisers, a pilates ball and resistance band can also be used to add to the difficulty. As a full-body workout, mat pilates will help strengthen your core, increase flexibility and enhance your endurance.
For beginners, we recommend trying chartered physiotherapist Lilly Sabri’s 5-minute ab-shredding workout as an introduction to the principles of pilates. This short exercise only requires an exercise mat (have a look at T3's best yoga mat guide for more info), resistance band and pilates ball. The sequence of exercises are as follows:
- Exercise 1 - Single-leg stretch with leg lift (30 seconds)
- Exercise 2 - Single leg stretch (30 seconds)
- Exercise 3 - Reverse crunch/open wide legs (30 seconds)
- Exercise 4 - Open/close legs crunch/raised upper body (30 seconds)
- Exercise 5 - Full roll up (Advanced variation – fingertips at your temples) (30 seconds)
- Exercise 6 - Bicycle with raised upper body (30 seconds)
- Exercise 7 - Single-leg stretch with a pilates ball under your sacrum (30 seconds)
- Exercise 8 - Boat pose crunches with Pilates ball under your sacrum (30 seconds)
- Exercise 9 - Hover hold/Arms behind head/advanced variation lower body (30 seconds)
- Exercise 10 - Pilates ball flutter kicks (30 seconds)
Mastered this routine and looking to further test your abs? Try this 3-exercise abs workout to really punish your gut or this 2-minute six-pack workout and train the most neglected part of your abs. We also have a guide dedicated to the best abs workout for women and a 4-move lower abs workout for you to try!
