One dumbbell, 7 minutes and a core workout to give you rock solid abs

Try this routine for a quick ab burner that works

Close up of muscular bodybuilder guy doing exercises with weights over grey background. Black and white
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pining for those sculpted washboard abs? Getting a 6-pack is often a goal in the fitness world – after all, it has become a bit of a status symbol. But there are other benefits to toned abs other than simply the aesthetic appeal.

In fact, working on your core strength can help you build balance and stability while also improving your posture. Core strength can also help you perform at a higher level in your other workouts, too. 

Plus, the abs are surprisingly easy to train – in fact, according to professionals, ab workouts don't even have to last all that long. So, without further ado, let's take a look at a quick 7-minute routine that will give you results fast.

Equipment – One dumbbell or try without a dumbbell if you are a beginner

Chris Heria is a world-famous trainer known for his apparel, cooking videos, and, of course, hardcore fitness videos. This ab workout involves a quick rotation of six classic ab exercises that will keep your abs engaged and burning for all seven minutes. Get ready, because it's harder than it looks.

Repeat the following cycle 4 times:

  • Russian twists (30 seconds) 
  • Seated in & outs (30 seconds) 
  • Seated dumbbell alternating knee raises (30 seconds) 
  • Crunch Reach Throughs (30 repetitions) 
  • Overhead lying leg raises (30 repetitions)
  • Dumbbell Side Plank (30 seconds each side) 

After adding this quick little ab burner into your routine, why not try this surprisingly tricky core stability exercise involving a yoga block? Or, give this simple 4-move, no equipment ab workout a try to tone all of the ab muscles fast. If you're loving these core workouts, we recommend getting a yoga mat to support your at-home ab routine. This Core Balance Alignment Yoga Mat will keep you in place and comfortable even during the toughest parts of the workout.

Meg Walters
Freelance journalist

Meg is a British-Canadian freelance writer based in southeast London. She can usually be found writing about classic films, rom-coms, period dramas, TV, Millennials, pop culture, books, style, lifestyle and fitness. Her writing has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, GQ, Stylist, The i, i-D, Little White Lies, Insider and more.