This standing ab workout targets every muscle in your core to build strong, defined abs — in just 10 minutes! And these 5 standing ab exercises are scalable from beginner to advanced (intensify this standing ab workout by adding weights).
This is core training off the floor! You’ll remain standing for the entire 10-minute standing ab workout.
No crunches and no planks! Just 5 standing ab exercises to sculpt and strengthen your core muscles and add definition to your midsection.
Your core muscles are so much more than your “six-pack” abs and obliques. They wrap all the way around your body, and include:
Transversus abdominis
Pelvic floor muscles
Erector spinae
Lumbar muscles (lower back)
Quadratus lumborum (deep portion)
Gluteus maximus
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Standing Ab Workout FAQs
Are Standing Ab Workouts Effective?
YES! I prefer standing ab workouts to “traditional” core exercises like crunches that just have you lying on your back. Why? Because standing ab exercises mimic the way you move in everyday life – requiring your core muscle to work to stabilize your trunk as you move your limbs away from your body, twist and rotate.
What Are The Best Standing Exercises For Abs?
My favorite standing ab exercises involve a weight transfer – either with your bodyweight or with a dumbbell! This engages every muscle around your core. Examples include cross body chop, standing high knee lifts, leaning obliques, standing side bend or side crunch.
Why Is A Strong Core Important?
A strong core is important for so many reasons. According to Mayo Clinic, a strong core is tied to: improved balance and stability, improved posture, reduced risk of lower back pain, and reduced risk of injuries (especially from activities that involve core rotation). Today’s ab workout is STRENGTH TRAINING for your entire core: strengthening the obliques, rectus abdominis AND transversus abdominis muscles.
10-Minute Standing Ab Workout
Work your core from EVERY angle with this standing abs workout for beginners to advanced.
I suggest adding these five ab exercises from a standing position to your weekly training routine one to three times a week.
Workout Equipment:
Beginner: No equipment, just your bodyweight.
Intermediate/Advanced: Add a single medium dumbbell or kettlebell to make this a weighted ab workout.
We’re using 10-15 lb dumbbells.
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Weighted core training is functional and effective. I’d challenge you to add weights to this workout!
Repeat All 5 Standing Ab Exercises x2 Sets (Perform all single-sided exercises — exercises 2, 3 and 4 — on the right side of the body for the first set, then on the left side for the second set)
Targets: Low abs, obliques, glutes, hip flexors, chest and shoulders.
Note, the farther you hold the dumbbell out, away from your body, the harder your core will have to work.
How To Do A Goblet Hold and March
Start in a standing position, feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell vertically at your chest, elbows tucked in.
Engage your core, then drive your right knee up in line with your right hip. Right knee bent at a 90-degree angle.
Ground through your standing leg to remain stable, then return your right foot back to the ground.
Switch sides, driving your left knee up in line with your left hip. Return to starting position and repeat these alternating high knee lifts. Think of it as performing standing bicycle crunches.
Start in an athletic position, feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in your right hand at shoulder height, palm facing in.
Sit your hips back as you lower into a squat, aiming to get your thighs parallel to the ground (both knees bent at 90 degrees).
Press through your heels to stand tall, rotating your hips to the left. Toes pointing to the left as your left heel pops off the mat. Use the power from your hips and glutes to drive the dumbbell in your right hand overhead.
Return the dumbbell to shoulder height as you reverse the rotation, both toes pointing forward, returning to starting position.
Modification: Follow Lindsey (on the right) and omit the pivot press performing a standing squat and overhead press.
Single Leg Balance Weight Pass
Targets: Low abs, obliques, transversus abdominis, glutes, hip flexors, arms and core.
Again the farther the dumbbell travels away from your body, the harder your abs will have to work to stabilize your trunk.
How To Do A Single Leg Balance Weight Pass
Start standing feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in your right hand at the side of your body.
Brace your core as you lift your right leg off the ground, aiming to get your right thigh parallel to the mat (bend your knee at a 90-degree angle). Ground through your left foot for balance.
Curl the dumbbell up and across your body, transferring it from your right hand at your side to your left hand at your left shoulder. Focus on keeping your torso and hips stable as you transfer weight to the opposite side of your body.
Return the dumbbell across your body, transferring the weight back to your right hand and end at your side, in the starting position.
Windmills
Targets: Obliques, abs, upper back, outer glutes, inner thighs, hamstrings, upper body and shoulders.
The windmill is a full body exercise that strengthens the entire core; specifically the obliques (sides of the torso).
How To Do A Windmill
Start in a wide stance, holding a dumbbell (or kettlebell) in your left hand, directly above your shoulder.
Rotate your right foot out 90 degrees so your right toes are pointing towards the top of your mat, then pivot your left foot slightly inwards (about 45 degrees). Think right heel aligns with left arch.
Focus on creating and maintaining length through your waist as you hinge at the hips, sliding your right arm down your right leg. Keep your left hand directly above your left shoulder.
Then, squeeze through your obliques to pull your torso back to an upright position.
Lateral Squat and Front Raise
Targets: Gluteus medius (part of your butt used for side-to-side movements), quads, hips, inner thighs, shoulders, abs and core muscles.
How To Do A Lateral Squat and Front Raise
Start in a wide stance, holding a dumbbell horizontally between your hands, toes facing forward or slightly out.
Sit your hips back, bending your right knee while leaving your left leg straight. Think of performing a single leg squat on your right side.
At the bottom of your squat, brace your core and exhale as you lift the dumbbell up to shoulder height, arms straight in front of you. With control, lower the dumbbell back down to your thighs.
Then, push off your right foot to reverse the movement, returning to center.
Then, repeat the movement on your left: sitting your hips back and bending your left knee while leaving your right leg straight.
Raise the dumbbell to shoulder height, then control it back down to the starting position.
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