I swapped crunches for standing abs — and my core has never been stronger

I’m no stranger to core workouts — I’ve done my fair share of planks, crunches, and Pilates roll-ups over the years. But lately, I’ve been looking to mix things up a bit, and standing ab workouts have been cropping up consistently on my social media feeds.

I often finish my strength training sessions at the gym with a floor-based mat routine, so the idea of a standing ab workout intrigued me. Common standing core exercises are often overlooked, but they have their perks — they can be more functional, more joint-friendly, and often recruit muscles beyond just your abs, like your glutes, back, and legs. Think standing knee drives, wood chops, or weighted oblique twists. And if you’re short on time, working out at home, or trying to find floor space in a crowded gym, skipping the mat can be a real bonus.

So, for the past week, I swapped all mat-based corework for standing ab workouts instead. The jury’s still out on whether they can fully replace traditional abs routines — but I definitely got a lot out of the challenge.

Why try standing ab workouts?

Standing ab workouts can be a smart and functional alternative to traditional floor-based core routines. While crunches and planks are effective, training your core in an upright position can engage a wider range of muscles, challenge balance, and more closely mirror real-life movements like lifting, reaching, and twisting. Having recently tried living like people in the Blue Zones for a week, I know how important these functional movements are for our healthspan.

Standing core workouts are especially useful if you struggle with neck, back, or hip discomfort when using a mat — something I definitely relate to. Some trainers even argue that standing core exercises can be more effective than mat work, since they require coordination, stability, and full-body awareness, all while resisting gravity and staying upright.

As a more accessible way to work your core — with potential carryover to everyday life — I was pretty keen to get stuck in with my week-long challenge of trying standing ab workouts. There are plenty of standing ab routines to follow on YouTube, which I used for inspiration in the first half of the week. After that, I basically cherry-picked my favourite standing ab moves (side bends, crossover toe touches and wood chops, to name a few), and created my own routine. Over the week, there were three key benefits that stood out to me.

1. I got more than just a core workout

Efficiency in the gym makes me happy, so I was pretty pleased when I realized how much of my body was engaged during the standing workout. Exercises like standing knee drives or wood chops didn’t just fire up my abs — they got my glutes, legs, and even upper body working, especially when I added light weights.

Instead of isolating my core, I was engaging it to support bigger, full-body movements — and that felt more like how we move in real life. I wasn’t just crunching; I was twisting, balancing, and using momentum.

Plus, I’ve always been a fan of oblique work, and I feel like standing core workouts lend themselves especially well to this area.

2. It challenged my balance (and brain)

What caught me off guard was just how much I had to focus during these workouts. Moves like standing oblique crunches and alternating knee lifts had the added challenge of balance, which meant I couldn’t just zone out and go through the motions like I sometimes do on the mat.

I found myself working harder to control each rep, especially when standing on one leg or transitioning between sides. It demanded more coordination and core stability than expected, which forced me to stay present throughout. It felt like my brain was just as engaged as my abs were. That mind-muscle connection? Fully activated.

3. It was easier to stay consistent

This one surprised me the most: I actually wanted to keep doing these workouts. Not having to lie on the floor or roll out a mat made it psychologically easier to fit in core work — whether as a quick finisher after a go on the rowing machine, or sneaking in some side bends while I was waiting for the kettle to boil.

Some days I used light weights for more resistance, other days I stuck with bodyweight. Either way, it felt low-lift to get started — and that made it easier to stay consistent. The fact that I didn’t have to kneel, crunch, or plank was a win for both my motivation and my neck. Whenever I’m doing matwork that requires you to hold your head off the ground, I always end up with neck ache. Skipping the neck strain was easily one of the biggest perks.

Verdict: are standing ab workouts better?

After a week of standing ab workouts, I’m not ready to ditch floor-based core work entirely — but I’m definitely going to incorporate more standing moves into my routine. They’re functional, versatile, and surprisingly effective, especially when time or space is limited.

What stood out most was how accessible they felt. I didn’t need to find floor space, brace for neck ache, or carve out the same time I would for a mat routine. Plus, I was working my core in a way that felt useful — for balance, posture, and everyday strength.

In the end, it’s not about choosing one over the other. But if you're looking to switch things up, avoid discomfort, or just sneak in some extra core work throughout your day, standing ab workouts are absolutely worth trying.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried moving like people in the Blue Zones for a week — and I have some thoughts to share
• Forget the treadmill! I tried Nordic walking every day for a week — and it challenged me in ways I didn’t expect
• I followed the Japanese walking method for 30 days — here's what happened to my back pain and energy levels