At-Home Ab Workouts for Beginners

Want to step up your workout routine, but concerned that your schedule just won't accommodate time at the gym? At-home ab workouts for beginners are quick, easy, and effective. Strong ab muscles go beyond physical fitness, too, as core strength can benefit a number of everyday activities.

As with any new workout regimen, please consult with your doctor before incorporating at-home abs exercises into your routine.

The Core of Ab Exercises

Core strength isn't only about abdomen muscles. Exercises that target your core also help to improve your balance, stability, and posture. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Core exercises train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips, and abdomen to work in harmony."

Muscles surrounding the core also support the upper body and encourage better posture, which is beneficial for the back. The Mayo Clinic also states that a weak core can lead to more fatigue, more injuries, and less endurance.

3 Ab-solutely Easy and Effective Core Exercises for Beginners

Even ten minutes at the start or end of the day can be enough to substantially strengthen your abs. Below are a few at-home ab workouts for beginners that do not require any additional equipment.

1. The Plank

Start on the floor on your hands and knees. Go down on your forearms and slowly kick out your legs to a push-up position. Keep your back and hips in a straight line from your shoulders to your feet. Then, hold for 30 seconds, keeping your abs engaged. Relax your body to lay face down on the ground for a 30-second break before repeating two more times.

Tip: Shorten the hold time to make the move easier, or increase the amount of time you hold each plank to increase difficulty.

2. Bicycle Crunches

Lie on the floor with your back on the ground. Place your hands behind your head and bring your knees into your chest. Lift your head slightly and hold the position as you slowly kick out your right leg. As you bring your right leg back toward your chest slowly kick out your left leg. This should be one continuous motion until you have kicked out each leg 10 times. Repeat the routine two more times.

Tip: To make this move easier, lift your legs higher off the ground. Lower your legs to make the move more difficult.

3. Bridge Exercise

Lie on your back and bend your knees. Keep your upper back on the floor, engaging your abs, and raise your hips off the floor until they create a line from the knees to the shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds, relax, and repeat two more times.

Tip: Lengthen or shorten the hold time of each bridge to make the move more difficult or easier.

At-home ab exercises can be done any time of day in any room of the house. Whether you are working on a six-pack or you simply want to improve your posture, try incorporating a few ab exercises into your workout routine. And, if you're looking for more at-home workouts, you can alternate ab workouts with these easy at-home back exercises and 10-minute routines for more dynamic results.

Are you a home fitness enthusiast? Share some of your favorite exercises with us by tagging @toms_of_maine on Instagram.

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