Workout Summary
- Main GoalBuild Muscle
- Workout TypeSingle Muscle Group
- Training LevelBeginner
- Program Duration8 weeks
- Days Per Week2
- Time Per Workout10-20 minutes
- Equipment RequiredBodyweight, Dumbbells
- Target Gender Male & Female
- Recommended Supps
- Workout PDF Download Workout
Workout Description
As with every other muscle in the body, the abs need to be trained regularly if you want to improve the way they look and perform. Unfortunately, abs aren’t normally given the same attention and focus as other body parts. You ever notice how most splits don’t include them? This is because most lifters “throw them in” after another body part at random. If you want the abs to look good and be strong, then it takes the same effort and focus as the other muscle groups.
The abs, or core, is crucial in overall physique development. For physique purposes, they are the centerpiece of the body. The standards of being lean are measured by the way your abs look.
As for performance, the core must be strong if you want to fulfill your potential. Let’s look at the squat as an example. Yes, squats are for the legs, but if your abs aren’t strong enough to maintain stability, then you won’t be able to control how you move the weight.
How Often Should You Train Abs
Now that we’ve agreed that ab training needs to be taken more seriously, how much more seriously should it be taken? Devoting two sessions a week to them with at least 72 hours in between is very beneficial. You can place these workouts wherever you want in your training split, but make sure you start the workouts with your ab training. Committing yourself to the abs at the beginning when you’re fresh and focused can be the key to yielding the greatest results.
Abs Are Made in the Kitchen
The way you eat has a direct correlation to how your abs look. So let’s talk about how you eat before we get to work. If your abs aren’t visible, then you need to focus on eating healthy. There are plenty of articles here on M&S that can help you determine the proper amount of macronutrients you should eat.
Another valuable tool that you can benefit from is the Basal Metabolic Rate Daily Calorie Calculator. This tool can help you determine how many calories you need based on the effort you give to the training. When you start creating your nutrition plan or using any of those that we offer, bookmark the BMR calculator so you have access to it anytime you need it.
Related: How to Diet to Get Visible Abs
Ab Training at Home
There are many people that have committed to working out at home, and they deserve to see results just like those of us that go to the gym. So, this program allows you to perform the exercises anywhere you have available space. The only equipment that you should need is a light weighted ball or dumbbells and ankle weights. If you don’t have those items, then your bodyweight alone would be fine.
There will be two workouts included. One is a straight-set, normal session that shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes. The other is the same exercises but performed in a circuit fashion that will take you around 10 minutes.
The first workout allows you to focus on the quality of the muscle contraction with each rep. The second one is a speed session to really challenge the muscles.
5 Exercises for Your Abs
Weighted Crunch
You may have seen the traditional version of this exercise with the hands overhead with nothing to hold. Having your hands up can increase the resistance on the upper portions of the abs. The difference with the weighted crunch is that you’re holding a weight overhead. A light pair of dumbbells or a plate would also work here.
You should focus on contracting the abs, not sitting up. It may not be the biggest range of motion, but you really don’t need it here. Contract the abs, feel that squeeze, go back down. If you want to make an even greater exercise, raise your feet off the floor. This will force you to focus more on stability.
Rotating Mountain Climber
The standard mountain climber is considered by many to be more of an aerobics type move. However, the rotating mountain climber concentrates on the lower portion of your abdominals, and you'll definitely feel the burn with this one. There are two extra modifications you can make for this movement. First, wear the ankle weights if you have them so you have a way to increase resistance. Second, don’t just bring the knee straight in. The twist at the top can incorporate the abdominals. If you get to the point that these feel too easy, increase your reps.
Seated Twist
You may have heard of the barbell seated twist. This version allows you to hold the weight at your center. This means the weight will be closer to your core, so you could feel the load more directly on the abs.
When you make your turns, do them slowly. Make sure the muscle is working. This also will help prevent stress on your spine. If you want to make the exercise a little more difficult, lean back and raise your feet. If you need it to be easier, then either stand or do these seated without the weight.
Lying Leg Raise
The lying leg raise is as simple of an exercise as it gets. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. If you perform your reps slow enough and focus on the work your abs are doing, it can be meaningful. Having those ankle weights will make this even better (or worse, depending on your perspective).
When your legs reach the top, raise your hips completely off of the floor for an extra contraction. Hold that position for one second before you lower your legs back down. Make sure you control the speed of your legs dropping. If you can’t, then end your set.
Plank
Stabilization is as important as contraction for quality core development. Doing planks after all of the other exercises will make these a little more interesting, but you should still be able to complete the task. Once you get past the 60-second recommendation, try to add five seconds to each workout until you reach two minutes.
Related: 5 Challenging Plank Variations (& Tips to Help You Master Them)
Workout #1 – Straight Sets Session
The first workout can take place before a larger upper body workout such as chest or back. The rep scheme doesn’t seem like much, but it can be if you focus on doing each rep properly. That is the key to this program. Flying through the reps to commit more time to the other muscle group won’t help you here. The patience and effort on quality will be well worth it.
Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
---|---|---|---|
Weighted Crunch | 3 | 10-12 | 60 seconds |
Rotating Mountain Climber | 3 | 10-12 (each side) | 60 seconds |
Seated Twist | 3 | 10-12 (each side) | 60 seconds |
Lying Leg Raise | 3 | 10-12 | 60 seconds |
Plank | 3 | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Workout #2 – Ab Blasting Circuit (ABC)
This workout is to be performed in a circuit. That means you don’t rest until all five exercises are completed. You should perform three circuits of this workout before a smaller muscle group session like arms or on its own. You perform each set based on a time recommendation instead of a rep scheme. Even though time is the name of the game, you should still focus on making each rep meaningful. Don’t worry so much about beating a rep mark.
Complete the following exercises back-to-back with no rest between exercises. This counts as one round. Rest 2 minutes between each round. Repeat 3 times. Once you are able to finish three rounds of this with no problem, add five seconds to each exercise.
Exercise | Reps |
---|---|
Weighted Crunch | 30 seconds |
Rotating Mountain Climber | 30 seconds |
Seated Twist | 30 seconds |
Lying Leg Raise | 30 seconds |
Plank | 60 seconds |
Conclusion
The workouts here aren’t overly complicated, but ab training shouldn’t be complicated, either. The key to success is consistency and patience. Like gaining strength or losing fat, being consistent and knowing it takes time is half of the battle. After two months on this program, you should see positive results in both the way your abs look and feel.
30 Comments
do we have to do these 2 workouts everyday or in alternate days
Different days.
hello, I'm interested in doing this program but I don't have a barbell, what exercise can I do alternative to seated twist?
Hi, Peter. You can use a broomstick or bodyweight alone. The barbell isn't for resistance as much as it is to help you keep form.
Why are there 2 plans? Am i supposed to do one, rest and then hop onto the other or do i do one and then switch it up next time?
Correct. Do one on one day and the other the next time you train abs.
Hi, I've been looking through the workout plans available from this website and I saw the 4 day upper/lower split and I'd like to do that combined with this. Would it be okay to do the first ab workout on workout day 1 of the 4 day plan and then the second ab workout on day 4 of the 4 day plan?
Hey Isiah, that is actually a pretty good idea. If you do it, let us know how it goes. Thanks for reading M&S!
I am just getting back into the gym after a back injury. I’m starting with a full body workout 3 times a week. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Which days would be best to fit this ab program in?
You can do it on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Hi Roger
In workout 1, how long should I wait between each rep of the same exercise. I am clear that I should wait 1 minute to switch to the next exercise but not how long I should wait to do the second or third rep of the same exercise.
Hi, Anna. One minute between each set of all exercises, and one minute between the last of one exercise and the first of the next.
Do we have to do Workout #1 and Workout #2 on same day?
Hi, Yash! No, you don't have to do them on the same day. Choose one for one workout day and save the other for another time. If you want to do them on the same day, you could by doing one in the morning and the other in the evening.
Can I do a Russian twists with weights instead of seated twist?
Hey Abhigyan - yes you can
After these 8 weeks, do you have a recommendation on a routine to move on to next? Or just continue with these, but add time/reps to each set? Thanks.
Hey Phil - you can repeat this program if you enjoyed it! Feel free to alter the reps, sets, and/or time to keep the workouts challenging.
I'm not clear on how to do the seated twist, and I can't find any videos of the one described here, where you "hold the weight at your center". I also don't have a flat bench or barbell. Is it possible to do without these, and if so could someone explain the technique a little more? Thank you.
Hey Joe - the seated twist is done like the barbell seated twist (https://www.muscleandstrength.com/exercises/seated-barbell-twist.html) except you hold the dumbbell at your chest. And yes, it is possible to do the workout without a flat bench or barbell.
Hi!
I'm a bit confused about how many sessions it is a week.
Do you do a straight session and then ABC in one session twice a week?
Or do you do a straight session and then ABC days later for a total of twice a week?
Thanks
Hey Simon - you'll do two total sessions a week with at least 72 hours in between the sessions. You can place these workouts wherever you want in your training split, but make sure you start the workouts with your ab training.
Sounds perfect! Thanks for the help :)
You'll do one of each a week.
Hi!
You appear to misunderstand my question. Do you do both the straight session and ABC twice a week? Or do you do one of each a week.
Hi was totally confused on the number of rounds for the ab blaster, so would this be a total of three rounds or 4 rounds?
Hey Jake - you'll repeat for 3 rounds.
Should I do some warm up before doing this workout?
Is training and two times a week enough? I use to train abs on alternate days before and there are nt many variations of excercises specially obliques
Hey Abdullah - yes, this workout is adequate for developing your abs.