10 Minute Core Workout: The Best Core Exercises To Tighten and Tone Your Core Muscles

Strength, Power, Posture, Balance, Back Health - Get it all in a quick ten minute workout

There are a few really good ways you can approach your 10 minute core workout.  Here are three of them. 

In Core Workout 1 we will do 10 core exercises in 10 minutes.  Shoot for doing each exercise for 45 to 50 seconds and resting 10 to 15 seconds.  That means the maximum number of GOOD reps you can do in the 50 seconds.  When your form starts breaking down, you're done.

In Core Workout 2 we are going to do a total of six exercises split into two groups.  We will do the three exercises in the first group, repeat, then the three exercises in the second group, and repeat.  12 total sets at 50 seconds per set makes a pretty mean 10 minute core workout.

In Core Workout 3 we are going to be a little bit less rigidly structured and just do a series of the best core exercises you can do for varying amounts of time.  Freestyle baby!

The idea behind a few different ways to structure your core workouts is to first of all give you some great options you can take with you and start using right now.  In addition, the different themes are meant to give you some ideas for making your own core workouts.

As you get comfortable with these exercises and sequences, try some of the other exercises on the core exercises and ab exercises pages to mix and match however you want.  

These quick workouts can be done on their own or combined with other workouts.  For example, try combining one of these 10 minute core workouts with a 10 minute cardio workout or a 10 minute upper body workout.  Put some of the 10 minute and 20 minute workouts together and make any number of effective full workouts.

If you have more time and you're looking for a full workout, add the core strengthening exercises to the end of one of the best cardio workouts.  A nice sprint or interval workout with a 10 minute core workout at the end is just what the fitness doctor ordered.

Core Workout 1: 10 Exercises in 10 Minutes

Your fitness level will determine how much of each minute is spent doing the exercise and how much time is spent resting.  The ultimate goal is to only rest long enough to switch positions and start the next exercise.

This list is roughly based on the number of reps you should be able to complete in 45 to 50 seconds, leaving 10 to 15 seconds to rest.  Adjust as necessary.

Workout 2: Two Sets Of Three Exercises

Again, the number of reps is roughly based on finishing in around 50 seconds.  

  • Ab Scissors:  20 reps (on your back with your legs straight and heels 6 inches off the floor, spread your legs apart and bring them back together again)
  • V-up:  20 reps
  • Plank Jacks:  25 reps (From a pushup plank position, kick your feet apart like a jumping jack and then back together again.)
  • Repeat that sequence.
  • Crunch Tap:  20 reps (On your back with your thighs raised to 90 degrees and knees bent at 90 degrees.  Raise your shoulders up like a normal crunch, lower, then maintain the angle in your knees and lower your heels to tap the ground and raise them back up.  Upper AND lower abs baby!)
  • Plank (elbows):  After 20 seconds extend the right arm.  After another 15 seconds raise the left leg.  Hold for 15 seconds.
  • Plank (elbows):  After 20 seconds extend the left arm.  After another 15 seconds raise the right leg.  Hold for 15 seconds.
  • Repeat that sequence.
     

Workout 3:  10 Minute Core Workout

  • Pushup plank – 30 seconds
  • Raised right arm to a side plank – 30 seconds
  • Raised left arm to a side plank – 30 seconds
  • Bird dog right arm/left leg raised – 15 seconds
  • Bird dog left arm/right leg raised – 15 seconds
  • Bird dog right arm/left leg raised – 15 seconds
  • Bird dog left arm/right leg raised – 15 seconds
  • 20 Russian twists
  • 10 Rolling side planks
  • Superman exercise – 1 minute
  • Repeat the sequence 1 more time.

The nice thing about a short and intense 10 minute core workout like the ones above is that you can make an incredibly powerful impact on your fitness by fitting in a few of these at different parts of your day.  If you do a leg workout in the morning, do one of these workouts in the afternoon or evening.

Try that for a few weeks and watch your body change shape!

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