- Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
- Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
- Keep your elbows in so that they are parallel to your body.
- Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
- Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
- Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
- Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
- Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
- Return to the start position in a smooth movement.
20-Min Core Blaster No-Equipment Abs Workout
20 min
·
7 exercises
20 minutes of no-equipment abs and core blasting! Focus on form and stick to the work/rest times throughout. Great for building core strength, stability and endurance. Beginner to intermediate friendly — perfect for home or outdoor sessions.
A Complete these non stop for 45 seconds
Left side only here! Non stop for 30 seconds!
0:30 rest
B Complete these non stop for 45 seconds
Right side only here! Non stop for 30 seconds!
0:30 rest
Complete the core by training that lower back!
C Flip things over and perform these for 60 seconds!
1:00 rest
Hit those reps!
About this workout
20-Min Core Blaster No-Equipment Abs Workout is a free 20 min workout plan with 7 illustrated exercises for your abs and back. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.
Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.
Workout details
- Duration: 20 min
- Exercises: 7
- Training focus: Abs and back
- Equipment: NO EQUIPMENT
- Level: Intermediate
- Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF
For more ready-made training plans, try WorkoutLabs Fit. You can follow visual workouts, build your own routines, manage your training calendar and track your progress. Sign up today to claim your free week.
Questions about this workout
What equipment do I need for this workout?
No equipment is needed – every exercise in this workout uses your own bodyweight, so you can do it at home or anywhere.
How long does the 20-Min Core Blaster No-Equipment Abs Workout take?
The full workout takes about 20 minutes, covering 7 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.
Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?
This is an intermediate workout, best suited to people with some training experience. Beginners can still follow it by reducing the weight, doing fewer sets or resting longer between sets – each exercise includes illustrated form instructions.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your abs, obliques, lower back. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.
How often should I do this workout?
For get toned, increase endurance, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.
Can I download or save this workout?
Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.
20-Min Core Blaster No-Equipment Abs Workout
20 min
·
7 exercises
20 minutes of no-equipment abs and core blasting! Focus on form and stick to the work/rest times throughout. Great for building core strength, stability and endurance. Beginner to intermediate friendly — perfect for home or outdoor sessions.
Crunches
A
Complete these non stop for 45 seconds
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
- Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
- Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
- Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
- When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lay on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your back flat on the floor and your legs straight and in the air with the soles of your feet facing up.
- Outstretch your arms above your chest so that they run parallel to your legs.
- Lifting your shoulders off the floor, reach up and touch your toes with your fingertips.
- Lower your shoulders back to the floor to complete one rep.
Oblique Crunches
A
Left side only here! Non stop for 30 seconds!
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
- Lie on a padded surface on your left side. Stack your legs and bring your right hand behind your head. Lie your left arm in front of you or across your body. Brace your core.
- Pulling from the obliques, bring your elbow up and towards your feet. Do NOT pull yourself with your hand.
- Pause and feel the contraction in your obliques then slowly return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
- Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
- Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
- Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
- When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
- Repeat.
Crunches
B
Complete these non stop for 45 seconds
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
- Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
- Keep your elbows in so that they are parallel to your body.
- Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
- Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
- Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
- Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
- Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
- Return to the start position in a smooth movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
- Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
- Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
- Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
- When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lay on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your back flat on the floor and your legs straight and in the air with the soles of your feet facing up.
- Outstretch your arms above your chest so that they run parallel to your legs.
- Lifting your shoulders off the floor, reach up and touch your toes with your fingertips.
- Lower your shoulders back to the floor to complete one rep.
Oblique Crunches
B
Right side only here! Non stop for 30 seconds!
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
- Lie on a padded surface on your left side. Stack your legs and bring your right hand behind your head. Lie your left arm in front of you or across your body. Brace your core.
- Pulling from the obliques, bring your elbow up and towards your feet. Do NOT pull yourself with your hand.
- Pause and feel the contraction in your obliques then slowly return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
- Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
- Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
- Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
- When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
- Repeat.
Bird Dogs
C
Complete the core by training that lower back!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Lower Back
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Position yourself on all fours with knees underneath the hips and wrists under the shoulders.
- Engage your abs and keep your spine neutral, pulling the shoulder blades towards the hips.
- Lengthen the left leg until it is straight out and in line with your hips while simultaneously raising and straightening your right arm until it is parallel to the floor. Keep your head and shoulders aligned at all times.
- Gently lower your arm and leg back to the starting position and alternate with the other arm and leg.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Lower Back, Shoulders
- Lay on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your arms outstretched, palms down in front of you, and your legs outstretched with your soles facing up.
- Simultaneously lift your right arm and left leg off the floor.
- When you reach your flexion point, hold for a second before slowly lowering back down to the floor.
- Repeat the same movement with your left arm and right leg.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Position yourself on all fours on a mat.
- Position your hands underneath your shoulders and place your knees under your hips.
- Keep your right knee bent at 90 degrees and flex the foot as you lift the knee until it is level with the hip.
- Lower the knee without touching the floor and repeat the lift.
- Once you’ve completed the reps on the right leg, switch legs.
Dead Bug
C
Flip things over and perform these for 60 seconds!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lie on your back. Extend hands straight above towards the ceiling. Bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle. Shins should be parallel to the floor. Exhale and bring hips off the floor.
- Begin by extending one leg forward. The foot should be hovering just above the ground.
- Pause then return the leg to it’s starting position while extending the opposing leg. Keep alternating legs while maintaining a tight core.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
- Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
- Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
- Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
- Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
- As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
- After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
- Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
- Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.
Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Lie flat on an exercise mat, extending your arms straight back behind your head.
- Fully extend your legs also. This is the start position.
- Bend at your waist and at the same time, raise your legs and arms to meet in a closed jackknife position. Exhale as you do this.
- At this point, your legs should remain fully extended at between 35-45 degrees from the floor.
- Your arms should be fully extended, parallel to your legs.
- Your upper body should be raised off the floor.
- Return to the start position by lowering your arms and legs back to the floor, exhaling as you do so.
- Repeat.
Jackknife Sit-up
Hit those reps!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Lie flat on an exercise mat, extending your arms straight back behind your head.
- Fully extend your legs also. This is the start position.
- Bend at your waist and at the same time, raise your legs and arms to meet in a closed jackknife position. Exhale as you do this.
- At this point, your legs should remain fully extended at between 35-45 degrees from the floor.
- Your arms should be fully extended, parallel to your legs.
- Your upper body should be raised off the floor.
- Return to the start position by lowering your arms and legs back to the floor, exhaling as you do so.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
- Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
- Keep your elbows in so that they are parallel to your body.
- Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
- Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
- Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
- Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
- Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
- Return to the start position in a smooth movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Position yourself on a decline bench so that your feet are secured by the pads. Lay back and place your arms across your chest or behind your head.
- Begin the movement by pulling yourself up by your abdominals. Do not force yourself up by pulling on your neck. Let your abs do all the work.
- Once at the top, slowly lower yourself back down. Again, focus on the abs doing all of the work. Repeat by bringing yourself back up.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 7
Total time
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