Forget planks — this 5-move workout sculpts your core in only 12 minutes

a woman's abs
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Some abs exercises can get a little tedious the more you do them, including planks. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can get a good abs pump and continue to develop core muscle without setting up a timer on your phone and getting into the plank position.

This 12-minute workout from fitness trainer Sandy Sklar is designed to target both your abs and core with a fun mix of five bodyweight exercises. If you've ever wondered about the difference between abs and core muscles, and whether you need to train both, it's a valid question, especially since the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Abs are the muscles that sit in the front of your stomach and give the 'six-pack' look. Your core, however, includes not just your abs but a group of muscles around your torso that help with movement, balance, and strength.

If you're ready to train both, Sklar's routine is equipment-free and pretty quick, so you can do it whenever you have a spare moment or add it as a core-focused finisher to your regular gym workout. The one thing we do suggest is that you roll out one of the best yoga mats to protect your back and joints from the hard floor.

Watch Sandy Sklar's 12-minute abs and core workout

Once you familiarize yourself with the five exercises, you will want to know what the structure of the routine is. Sklar recommends performing each exercise for 30 seconds each, taking a 30 second rest after round one and repeating for four sets. See a full list of the moves below:

  • Crossbody knee/elbow crunch, to double crunch
  • Reverse crunch with hip raise
  • Double crunch to extended leg reach
  • Flutter kicks
  • Ankle taps

These core exercises are designed to push you, so if you start to feel your muscles burn, try to embrace it. Remember, the discomfort is temporary, lasting just 30 seconds per exercise. However, if you feel any unusual strain or pain during the workout, stop immediately.

It could be a sign that your form is off, or you might need more support or padding beneath you. If you’re new to exercise or recovering from an injury, it’s always best to consult with a fitness professional or physiotherapist before trying new exercises.

If you work out regularly or perhaps you are looking to increase your exercise habits, you could aim to add Sklar's abs and core routine into the end of your workouts as a finisher two to three times a week. You can also use it as a quick standalone session on rest days or lighter training days to keep your core engaged without overdoing it.

If you're focusing on full-body workouts, this routine can complement your strength or cardio sessions by targeting core stability and endurance and help improve your overall performance in other exercises.

Do you like to add an extra little bit of fire to your ab workouts? Research published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research suggests that exercising on an unstable surface activates the abs more than on a stable one. So, consider adding an exercise ball into some of these exercises if you want to increase the challenge.

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Jessica Downey
Senior Fitness Writer

Jessica has been a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide since 2023, bringing three years of experience writing about health, fitness, and the great outdoors. Her passion for exercise began during her childhood, where she spent weekends hiking and competing in local athletics club events. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Jessica found the perfect way to combine her love of storytelling and fitness into a career.

Jessica is passionate about testing fitness gear and tech, using her reviews to help readers make informed buying decisions. She ran her first marathon in April 2024, finishing it in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Through her training, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow as a runner, from effective workouts and recovery techniques to selecting the right gear for every challenge.

When she’s not at her desk, Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen crafting new recipes, braving cold water swims and hiking.

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