Digital fitness platforms exploded over the past year — making it easier than ever to find an easy workout you can do from home. And luckily, if you don't want to invest in an app or monthly membership — there are plenty of free workouts available on Instagram and YouTube.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard know which of the zillion trainers have the best routines — and which ab workouts will give you the best results. Does Chloe Ting's ab workout really deliver the results her fans rave about? Are those four-move routines enough to truly strengthen your core?
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Here's the thing about ab workouts: Real strength and stability — the kind that keeps your deadlifts strong and body injury-free — lies in your deep abdominal muscles (namely, the transversus abdominis). But that coveted six-pack relies on working vanity muscles (your rectus abdominis). So if visible abs are your goal, a good ab routine will target both.
But "good" doesn't necessarily mean crazy-hard. In fact, easy ab exercises like planks, reverse crunches, and flutter kicks, are often the best.
Here are a few of our favorite easy ab workouts from top trainers that you can do at home right now.
Celeb Trainer Megan Roup Shares Her Easy, Do-Anywhere Abs Routine
Chloe Ting’s Standing Abs
If you groan every time a routine includes mountain climbers and crunches, you'll love this standing Chloe Ting ab workout. The Aussie trainer is known for her killer fitness challenges — particularly her core programs. And her 10-minute routine here is a great glimpse into why.
Full Core with Naturally Stefanie
One glance at Scottish fitfluencer Stefanie Moir's six-pack and we'll do whatever moves she tells us to. This super easy routine includes three sets of four moves that will target your entire core without even breaking a real sweat.
Jeanette Jenkins’ Pilates Picks
Founder of the Hollywood Trainer fitness club, Jeanette Jenkins knows a thing or two about the best moves to deliver results. (She's also worked with celebs like Alicia Keys and Serena Williams). We love this seven exercise routine for the lesser-known but uber-effective Pilates core burners the celeb trainer has included.
Kayla Itsines’ Five-Minute Abs
This five-minute ab routine harks back to the Australian fitness guru's basics: small workouts that beginners can master. With just four moves, 30 seconds each, this quick-and-dirty ab workout will deliver a quick burn to help build that indestructible core.
10 Moves in 10 Minutes with GainsByBrains
Sophie, a Netherlands-based trainer, uses serious science to back her smart programming — and this 10-minute routine is no different. With 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off, this easy ab workout covers 10 tried-and-true core moves that will also improve mobility to loosen while you tighten.
At-Home Abs with Fancy Fit
Staff Sergeant Frantzcesca Casimir is about as badass as they come as she balances a career in the army and in personal training. Lately, she's been harnessing that intensity to deliver something every woman can relate to: creative living room workouts. This ab routine leverages basic moves like planks and flutter kicks but adds a simple water bottle for a micro challenge to the routine.
Easy Abs with Krissy Cela
This easy, intro ab routine is case-in-point why the Tone & Sculpt trainer has such a devoted following (2.1 million and counting on IG). She's programmed four super basic, but super effective core moves that you can squeeze into any spare three minutes of the day.
Natacha Oceane’s Secret Weapons
Natacha Oceane isn't just any old fitness influencer — she uses her degree in biophysics to come up with smart, well-rounded workouts. And this ab routine, which targets the deep core muscles instead of just the look-good rectus abdominis, is no different. The 8-move program includes exercises you won't see many other places, but that are easy enough for a beginner to get after.
Massy Arias Tiny Movements
Since the start of lockdown, the LA-based trainer (who has worked with Kelly Rowland and many pro athletes) has been feeding her 2.7 million IG followers at-home workouts that are pure fire. This core routine doesn't ask for big moves or a lot of time — just three sets of five micro movements. But you better believe your core will be burning from the first rep to the last.
Beach Burn with Tone It Up
Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott have come a long way — and created an entire multi-million dollar empire — since their first beach workout videos. (And who could forget their Bravo show?) But their original, simple approach to routines still plays: easy moves that work every corner of your core. In the case of this ab routine, you can achieve that in under 10 minutes.
