You only need 5 moves to develop core strength and torch your abs — here’s how

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The abs blast you didn't know you needed

a woman performing crunches with alternating leg raises
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Whether you love or loathe ab workouts, they are essential for building a stronger core and for developing definition in your abdominal muscles. We get that spending hours on your abs doesn't sound overly fun, so we've found a short and sweet routine that involves just five moves and your body weight.

The workout comes from Kayla Itsines, a popular online fitness trainer esteemed for her intense but effective bodyweight workouts. This one is no different, so make sure to grab your best water bottle before jumping into this routine and begin torching your core and ab muscles.

What is the five-move abs workout?

This routine is pretty simple to replicate yourself, big thanks to the fact it requires no equipment and includes a list of well-known core exercises. The routine involves performing 12 repetitions of each exercise (except for the side plank crunch, which is 6 reps per side) and completing three rounds of the entire circuit.

We recommend checking out Itsines' demonstrations of each move in the video below to ensure you are adopting the correct form during the exercises and maximizing your gains.

Itsines' short routine manages to target and strengthen the major muscles of the core, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. Performing exercises such as the abs bikes and leg raises engage these muscles, and in doing so, you will be working toward building a strong and stable core. 

A well-developed core not only enhances physical appearance by providing a toned and defined midsection but it also contributes to developing solid functional strength, something everyone needs in order to support everyday movements and exercise performance.

Another significant benefit of this workout is its potential to enhance your balance and stability, with regular practice. Exercises like the lateral shoot throughs and side plank crunches require stability while moving through varied planes of motion. 

This type of training improves something called proprioception — the body’s ability to sense its position in space — which is essential for coordination and balance. This core workout also contributes to better posture and alignment.

Many of us suffer from poor posture due to sitting at a desk all day long or picking up more sedentary habits and this often leads to back pain. When you work on strengthening the core muscles, you provide better support for your spine, which helps maintain proper alignment and posture. 

Think you can manage all three rounds? 

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Jessica Downey
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.