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No Gym Needed: Core Builder 🎯

21 min
 · 
6 exercises

Today is purely rep completion! Nothing too complicated at all, just some time to work through the motions that will develop some awesome core stability and strength. 

Dead Bug exercise illustration
Dead Bug
3 sets
30 secs
45 sec rest
Make sure to move at a cool ad controlled pace, focus on that transition, and activate that core!
1:00 rest
Bird Dogs exercise illustration
Bird Dogs
3 sets
30 secs
45 sec rest
Now lets work the reverse side of that core!
1:00 rest
Hip Hinges exercise illustration A
Hip Hinges
3 sets
30 secs
Remember to hold that slight bend at the knee!
Leg Pull-In Knee-ups exercise illustration A
Leg Pull-In Knee-ups
3 sets
30 secs
60 sec rest
Find your balance, it's key (in this exercise and in life :D)
1:00 rest
Double Side Jackknifes exercise illustration B
Double Side Jackknifes
2 sets
30 secs
Left side only!
Double Side Jackknifes exercise illustration B
Double Side Jackknifes
2 sets
30 secs
45 sec rest
Right side only!

About this workout

No Gym Needed: Core Builder 🎯 is a free 21 min workout plan with 6 illustrated exercises for your core, 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: 21 min
  • Exercises: 6
  • Training focus: Core, 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 No Gym Needed: Core Builder 🎯 take?

The full workout takes about 21 minutes, covering 6 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, 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.

No Gym Needed: Core Builder 🎯
21 min
 · 
6 exercises
Today is purely rep completion! Nothing too complicated at all, just some time to work through the motions that will develop some awesome core stability and strength. 
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after a 5-second delay
Start workout Cancel workout
Dead Bug
Dead Bug exercise illustration
3 sets
30 secs
45 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Make sure to move at a cool ad controlled pace, focus on that transition, and activate that core!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
  1. 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.
  2. Begin by extending one leg forward. The foot should be hovering just above the ground.
  3. 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
  1. 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.
  2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
  3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
  4. 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.
  5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
  6. 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.
  7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
  8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
  9. 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
  1. Lie flat on an exercise mat, extending your arms straight back behind your head.
  2. Fully extend your legs also. This is the start position.
  3. 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.
  4. At this point, your legs should remain fully extended at between 35-45 degrees from the floor.
  5. Your arms should be fully extended, parallel to your legs.
  6. Your upper body should be raised off the floor.
  7. Return to the start position by lowering your arms and legs back to the floor, exhaling as you do so.
  8. Repeat.
Rest
0:00
next up
Bird Dogs
Next
Bird Dogs
Bird Dogs exercise illustration
3 sets
30 secs
45 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Now lets work the reverse side of that core!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Lower Back
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Position yourself on all fours with knees underneath the hips and wrists under the shoulders.
  2. Engage your abs and keep your spine neutral, pulling the shoulder blades towards the hips.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
    1. 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.
    2. Simultaneously lift your right arm and left leg off the floor.
    3. When you reach your flexion point, hold for a second before slowly lowering back down to the floor.
    4. Repeat the same movement with your left arm and right leg.

 

 

 

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Position yourself on all fours on a mat.
  2. Position your hands underneath your shoulders and place your knees under your hips.
  3. Keep your right knee bent at 90 degrees and flex the foot as you lift the knee until it is level with the hip.
  4. Lower the knee without touching the floor and repeat the lift.
  5. Once you’ve completed the reps on the right leg, switch legs.
Rest
0:00
next up
Superset A - Hip Hinges, Leg Pull-In Knee-ups
Next
Hip Hinges
Hip Hinges exercise illustration
A
3 sets
30 secs
Superset A • Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Remember to hold that slight bend at the knee!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart, while maintaining a slight bend in your knees
  2. Place your hands on your hips. This is the starting position
  3. When ready, slowly push your hips back as you begin to bend forwards, lowering your chest towards the floor. Be sure to keep your neck and back straight as you do so
  4. Work within your range of comfort, with the ultimate goal of reaching a 45-degree angle of your torso
  5. Reverse the movement by lightly squeezing your glutes and bringing your hips forwards. Elevate your torso to reach the starting position
Leg Pull-In Knee-ups
Leg Pull-In Knee-ups exercise illustration
A
3 sets
30 secs
60 sec rest
Superset A • Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Find your balance, it's key (in this exercise and in life :D)
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Lie flat with hands under your buttocks.
  2. Keep your knees together and pull them in towards you while moving your torso towards them (lift your head, neck and shoulders up).
  3. Hold and then slowly return to starting position.
Rest
0:00
next up
Superset B - Double Side Jackknifes, Double Side Jackknifes
Next
Double Side Jackknifes
Double Side Jackknifes exercise illustration
B
2 sets
30 secs
Superset B • Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Left side only!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  • Bring yourself to the ground and lie on your left side. Be sure to stack your feet.
  • Place your left hand on your side while raising your right arm above your head so that the elbow is pointing towards the sky.
  • Focusing all of the tension and contraction in the obliques, bring your feet up while you raise your upper body. Lead with the right elbow.
  • Hold the contraction and slowly return to the starting position. Do not allow your feet or shoulder to touch the ground.
  • Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Lie on an exercise mat and place your feet your under something that will not move or ask a spotter hold them down for you. Keep your knees bent.
  2. Raise your upper body from the mat to form V-shape with your thighs.
  3. Keep your arms fully extended in front of your chest, clasping your hands together.This is the start position.
  4. In a smooth motion, twist your upper body to the right until you feel a stretch in your back and sides. Keep your arms parallel to the floor and exhale as you do this. Hold for a count of one and inhale.
  5. Return to the start position while breathing out.
  6. Repeat the movement,this time to the left side of your body.
  7. Repeat.

As your strength increases, you can hold a weight plate or medicine ball in front of you to increase resistance and engage other muscle groups.

Double Side Jackknifes
Double Side Jackknifes exercise illustration
B
2 sets
30 secs
45 sec rest
Superset B • Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Right side only!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  • Bring yourself to the ground and lie on your left side. Be sure to stack your feet.
  • Place your left hand on your side while raising your right arm above your head so that the elbow is pointing towards the sky.
  • Focusing all of the tension and contraction in the obliques, bring your feet up while you raise your upper body. Lead with the right elbow.
  • Hold the contraction and slowly return to the starting position. Do not allow your feet or shoulder to touch the ground.
  • Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Lie on an exercise mat and place your feet your under something that will not move or ask a spotter hold them down for you. Keep your knees bent.
  2. Raise your upper body from the mat to form V-shape with your thighs.
  3. Keep your arms fully extended in front of your chest, clasping your hands together.This is the start position.
  4. In a smooth motion, twist your upper body to the right until you feel a stretch in your back and sides. Keep your arms parallel to the floor and exhale as you do this. Hold for a count of one and inhale.
  5. Return to the start position while breathing out.
  6. Repeat the movement,this time to the left side of your body.
  7. Repeat.

As your strength increases, you can hold a weight plate or medicine ball in front of you to increase resistance and engage other muscle groups.

Workout done!
Exercises done
of 6
Total time
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