An intermediate no-equipment glute and core workout for lower-body muscle gain and tone. Review the workout first, then complete each superset 3 times, followed by the 3-exercise glute circuit twice, finishing with some ab work!
Finish up with some awesome Tabata abs: 20 seconds on 10 seconds off!
About this workout
Glute-Core Building Joy! 34-min Workout is a free 34 min workout plan with 14 illustrated exercises for your glutes & hip flexors, abs, back and legs. 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: 34 min
Exercises: 14
Training focus: Glutes & hip flexors, abs, back and legs
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 Glute-Core Building Joy! 34-min Workout take?
The full workout takes about 34 minutes, covering 14 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, lower back, glutes & hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, obliques. 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 gain muscle, get toned, 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.
More free glutes & hip flexors, abs, back and legs workouts
An intermediate no-equipment glute and core workout for lower-body muscle gain and tone. Review the workout first, then complete each superset 3 times, followed by the 3-exercise glute circuit twice, finishing with some ab work!
Auto-advanceStart exercises automatically after a 5-second delay
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.
Select an appropriate weight for the plate you will be using. Place it next to where you will be laying.
Lay on flat on your back. Bend your knees, bringing your feet towards your hips. Bring the plate up and on to your pelvic area.
Tighten your core, flatten your back, and make sure your feet are firmly on the ground. Raise your hips up, creating a straight line from your head to your knees.
Slowly lower your hips and repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Lower Back
Position your upper back on a padded bench so that your body runs perpendicular to the bench.
Align your feet so they are about shoulder width apart, with the soles flat on the box with your back and hips elevated from the floor.
Slowly lower your body into the gap between the bench and the box allowing your toes to point upward as you do so.
Lift your body upwards using the muscles in your lower back and glutes all the way to the top of the extension.
Tense you glutes holding the top position before lowering your body back down for the next rep.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent so that your feet are flat on the floor. Keep your back straight.
Place your hands out to your sides palms flat for stability.
Raise your glutes off the floor by extending your hips upward while pushing down through you heels.
Continue until your back, hips and thighs are in a straight line. Hold for a count of one.
Return to the start position by lowering your hips back to the floor.
Pause then repeat.
Rest
0:00
next up
Superset B - Alternating Curtsy Lunges, Plank Leg Lifts
Standing with a braced core and flat back, bring your hands together at chest height. Position your feet to be at hip-width.
Beginning with the right foot, step backward and across your left foot. Simultaneously, bend the left knee and drop it towards the ground.
Stop when the front right knee is parallel with the ground. Push off the ground with your right foot and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Stand straight – that’s the starting position. Step forward with your left leg and slowly lower your body until your front knee is bent at least 90 degrees, while your rear knee is just off the floor. Keep your torso upright the entire time. Look forward.
Pause, then push off your left foot off the floor and return to the starting position as quickly as you can.
On your next rep, step forward with your right leg. Continue to alternate back and forth—doing one rep with your left, then one rep with your right.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves
Stand tall with a tight core and make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart. Bring your hands together for balance.
Step directly to the left, leaving your right foot in place. Bend the left knee and pause once the upper left thigh is parallel to the ground. Your right leg should be completely straight.
Contract the hamstring muscle then push off the ground to return to the starting position. Repeat on the right side. Alternate this movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Hamstrings
Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
Begin the movement by swinging your arms up towards your shoulders. At the same time, bend at the knees and drive your hips back like you’re sitting in a chair.
Once your upper thighs are parallel with the ground, pause, then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Lie on a mat and position yourself in a plank position. Place your elbows on the floor beneath your shoulders. Your toes should touch the floor and your torso should be lifted in a straight line.
Engage your core muscles and lift one foot off the floor. Keep the rest of your body as still as you can. Your heel should lift until it is in line with your buttocks.
Slowly lower the leg to the starting position and repeat with the other leg.
Lie face down on a padded surface. Place your hands beneath your shoulders and make sure your feet are extended straight behind you. Push yourself up into a classical Push-Up position. Keep your hips are slightly elevated. Tighten your core.
Keeping your gaze straight, push off the ground with your feet. Bending your knees, allow your feet to come up near your hands.
Immediately, push off the ground again with your feet, extending your legs straight behind you once again to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Chest, Shoulders
Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
Extend your torso and legs fully behind you with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
Your body should be in a straight line, with your weight supported on your hands and toes only.
Starting with either leg, flex your knee and hip at the same time to bring your knee up and under your hip. Your other leg should remain fully extended. This is the start position.
Using an explosive movement, reverse the position of your legs, by extending the bent leg back and simultaneously flexing the straight leg until it is in the startposition.
Continue alternating in this manner for the desire amount of time.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Assume a push-up position. Core is tight. Back is flat. Hands are underneath the shoulders. Head is in neutral position.
Bring one knee up towards your chest and twist towards the opposing elbow. (Ex: Right knee to left elbow.)
Contract the core and return the leg to the starting position.
Alternate between legs.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Begin jogging in place, lifting the knees as high as you can.
Try to lift your knees up to hip level but keep the core tight to support your back.
For a more advanced move, hold your hands straight at hip level and try to touch the knees to your hands as you lift them.
Bring the knees towards your hands instead of reaching the hands to the knees!
Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
Begin the movement by swinging your arms up towards your shoulders. At the same time, bend at the knees and drive your hips back like you’re sitting in a chair.
Once your upper thighs are parallel with the ground, pause, then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Between exercises, do not sit or lie down. Stand straight up and maintain proper form. Your chest should be up. Your lower back should be flat. Do not allow your shoulders to hunch.
Take periodic sips of water or a sports beverage. Do not chug or drink too much too fast.
Stand in this position for your prescribed rest break then begin your next exercise.
Stand with your feet hip width apart. Your toes should be pointing straight ahead or only slightly outward.
Cross your arms in front of your body, place your hands behind your head or at the sides of your head.
Keep your weight on your heels and bend your knees while lowering your hips towards the ground as if you are sitting down on a chair.
Keep your back straight at all times.
Continue until you feel a slight stretch in your quadriceps. Do not let your knees extend out beyond the level of your toes.
Pause for a count of one.
In an explosive movement, drive down through your heels pushing yourself up of the floor with your quads.
At the same time extend our arms out above you.
Land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.
Repeat
Primary muscle group(s):
Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Begin standing tall with a tight core. Your chest will be up and your gaze will be straight ahead. Bend at the knees and drive your hips back as you lower yourself into a squat position.
Launch yourself up while simultaneously twisting to the other side. Your body will perform a 180 degree turn in midair.
Land with bent knees and immediately go right into another jump squat, turning to the starting position. Repeat this alternating pattern.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Hamstrings
Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
Begin the movement by swinging your arms up towards your shoulders. At the same time, bend at the knees and drive your hips back like you’re sitting in a chair.
Once your upper thighs are parallel with the ground, pause, then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Stand straight up with a tight core and flat back. Keep your gaze focused straight ahead as you step back with your right leg.
As you step forward into the starting position, launch the right leg into a front kick. Use the left side hand to touch your toe, if you are able to.
Return your right leg to the starting position. Repeat on other side. Keep alternating until you complete the set.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Stand straight – that’s the starting position. Step forward with your left leg and slowly lower your body until your front knee is bent at least 90 degrees, while your rear knee is just off the floor. Keep your torso upright the entire time. Look forward.
Pause, then push off your left foot off the floor and return to the starting position as quickly as you can.
On your next rep, step forward with your right leg. Continue to alternate back and forth—doing one rep with your left, then one rep with your right.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Standing with a braced core and flat back, bring your hands together at chest height. Position your feet to be at hip-width.
Beginning with the right foot, step backward and across your left foot. Simultaneously, bend the left knee and drop it towards the ground.
Stop when the front right knee is parallel with the ground. Push off the ground with your right foot and return to the starting position.
Stand with your feet in a wide stance, with your toes slightly pointed outwards – like a sumo wrestler. Hold your hands together in front of your chest.
Keeping your back straight, lower your body towards the ground by bending your knees.
As you reach a fully squatting position (legs are bent at a 90-degree angle), hold the pose for 1 second before driving your feet into the floor and slowly push your body back up to the starting position.
For a bonus, tense your glutes at the top of the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Hamstrings
Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
Begin the movement by swinging your arms up towards your shoulders. At the same time, bend at the knees and drive your hips back like you’re sitting in a chair.
Once your upper thighs are parallel with the ground, pause, then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Standing with a braced core and flat back, bring your hands together at chest height. Position your feet to be at hip-width.
Beginning with the right foot, step backward and across your left foot. Simultaneously, bend the left knee and drop it towards the ground.
Stop when the front right knee is parallel with the ground. Push off the ground with your right foot and return to the starting position.
Stand with your feet hip width apart. Your toes should be pointing straight ahead or only slightly outward.
Cross your arms in front of your body, place your hands behind your head or at the sides of your head.
Keep your weight on your heels and bend your knees while lowering your hips towards the ground as if you are sitting down on a chair.
Keep your back straight at all times.
Continue until you feel a slight stretch in your quadriceps. Do not let your knees extend out beyond the level of your toes.
Pause for a count of one.
In an explosive movement, drive down through your heels pushing yourself up of the floor with your quads.
At the same time extend our arms out above you.
Land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.
Repeat
Primary muscle group(s):
Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Begin standing tall with a tight core. Your chest will be up and your gaze will be straight ahead. Bend at the knees and drive your hips back as you lower yourself into a squat position.
Launch yourself up while simultaneously twisting to the other side. Your body will perform a 180 degree turn in midair.
Land with bent knees and immediately go right into another jump squat, turning to the starting position. Repeat this alternating pattern.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Hamstrings
Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
Begin the movement by swinging your arms up towards your shoulders. At the same time, bend at the knees and drive your hips back like you’re sitting in a chair.
Once your upper thighs are parallel with the ground, pause, then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Stand straight up with a tight core and flat back. Keep your gaze focused straight ahead as you step back with your right leg.
As you step forward into the starting position, launch the right leg into a front kick. Use the left side hand to touch your toe, if you are able to.
Return your right leg to the starting position. Repeat on other side. Keep alternating until you complete the set.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Stand straight – that’s the starting position. Step forward with your left leg and slowly lower your body until your front knee is bent at least 90 degrees, while your rear knee is just off the floor. Keep your torso upright the entire time. Look forward.
Pause, then push off your left foot off the floor and return to the starting position as quickly as you can.
On your next rep, step forward with your right leg. Continue to alternate back and forth—doing one rep with your left, then one rep with your right.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Standing with a braced core and flat back, bring your hands together at chest height. Position your feet to be at hip-width.
Beginning with the right foot, step backward and across your left foot. Simultaneously, bend the left knee and drop it towards the ground.
Stop when the front right knee is parallel with the ground. Push off the ground with your right foot and return to the starting position.
Stand with your feet in a wide stance, with your toes slightly pointed outwards – like a sumo wrestler. Hold your hands together in front of your chest.
Keeping your back straight, lower your body towards the ground by bending your knees.
As you reach a fully squatting position (legs are bent at a 90-degree angle), hold the pose for 1 second before driving your feet into the floor and slowly push your body back up to the starting position.
For a bonus, tense your glutes at the top of the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Hamstrings
Place your feet at shoulder width apart while keeping your chest up and your abdominals braced.
Begin the movement by swinging your arms up towards your shoulders. At the same time, bend at the knees and drive your hips back like you’re sitting in a chair.
Once your upper thighs are parallel with the ground, pause, then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Standing with a braced core and flat back, bring your hands together at chest height. Position your feet to be at hip-width.
Beginning with the right foot, step backward and across your left foot. Simultaneously, bend the left knee and drop it towards the ground.
Stop when the front right knee is parallel with the ground. Push off the ground with your right foot and return to the starting position.
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
Lie on your back. Bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle. Shins should be parallel to the floor. Place your hands behind your head and bring your shoulders off the ground.
Exhale and contract your abdominals. Bring your head towards your knees while moving your knees toward your chest.
Pause and 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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 14
Total time
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