We all know how important it is to train our core but, let’s be honest, no one enjoys doing it. And, while we may have good intentions to squeeze in a few minutes at the end of our workout, by the time we get there, we’re usually ready to call it a day. That’s where this five-minute, bodyweight routine from fitness coach Elise Young comes in, making it easy to give your core a daily dose of training.
You may be wondering, ‘Is five minutes really enough to improve my core strength?’. However, Young recommends doing this five-minute workout around three to four times a week. Remember, consistency beats doing an hour-long core session every once in a while, which is why this snack-sized session is perfect for adding onto the end of longer workouts, or you could even sneak it into a lunch break.
You’ll only need to do this workout once through, then you’re done. We’d rest for 20-30 seconds between each exercise, just to let the burning sensation in your midsection simmer down. Although you won’t need any equipment, something soft – like an exercise mat or towel – would be wise. As always, if you’re unfamiliar with any of the moves, check out the short video above. Here’s what’s going to help your core get stronger:
- Plank with a reach – 20 reps
- Knee taps – 16 reps
- Reverse crunch – 12 reps
- Low high plank – 10 reps
- High plank with rotation – 12 reps
By building a stronger core, not only will everyday tasks start to feel easier – such as bending down and picking things up – but you may also see improvements in your gym lifts too. If you found this workout a little too difficult, here’s a more beginner-friendly core workout you can try instead.
