Forget endless sit-ups and crunches — this trainer's 5-move resistance band routine will fire up your core and build real strength at home

Building core strength doesn't have to be boring, there are plenty of ways to spice up your ab workouts. You can add in weights, you can ditch the floor and stick to standing ab workouts or you can add in one of the best resistance bands. The latter is what we have in store for you with this five move core busting routine.

To lead you through it is online trainer Cindy Yu who has 26 years experience in the game of fitness training and specialises in building workouts you can do with ease in the gym or at home. The focus here is simple setup and controlled movements that keep your core working throughout.

With resistance bands, progressive overload is simple. Start with a light band to learn the movements and build control, then move to a stronger band once the exercises feel more comfortable. You can also increase the difficulty by adding an extra round, slowing down each rep to keep your muscles working for longer, or shortening your rest time.

What is the resistance band core workout?

You will work through each exercise for 30-40 seconds and the aim is to complete four or five rounds in total. Helpfully, Yu demonstrates all the moves you'll need to perfect your technique. Here's a list of the exercises you'll need:

1. Glute bridge abduction cross crunch
2. Banded kick out
3. Abduction abs crunch
4. Banded bicycle abs
5. Leg drop abduction

Resistance bands can be really helpful for making sure you are targeting the right muscles, thanks to the constant tension they provide. Unlike weights, where there might be moments of reduced tension, bands provide constant tension throughout the entire range of motion of an exercise.

This consistent tension forces the muscles to work harder to maintain control, leading to greater muscle activation. Plus, the continuous resistance increases time under tension, which is important for stimulating muscle growth and improving strength.

Thanks to Yu's routine, you'll be targeting and strengthening all areas of the core. The combination of abductions, crunches, and leg movements engages the upper and lower abs and activates the obliques, developing overall core stability and functional strength.

Plus, the inclusion of glute-activating moves, such as the glute bridge abduction, will get those butt muscles working. Not only will this contribute to defining the glutes but also enhance your lower back support and improve overall lower body strength.

Completing this core routine is a fantastic step towards strengthening and toning your midsection, but it shouldn't be the end of your efforts. To continue muscle growth and achieve visible results, consistency is key.

Regularly incorporating core-strengthening workouts into your fitness regimen is important. Additionally, varying your exercises is essential to continuously challenge your muscles and prevent plateaus.

If you're not seeing the desired definition, it might be because you need to dedicate time to lowering your body fat by establishing a nutritious diet that you enjoy and maintaining regular cardio and strength training.

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