Work your abs while standing without doing a boring crunch again. And it gets better. These moves will make you stronger for daily life activities!  You will tone your midsection while working your entire body, working the muscles that make up your entire core.

When we first got into working out we were all about having (and keeping) a flat stomach. We thought doing cardio for hours along with crunches was the only way to get our “abs”. Over the years we learned the key to getting flat tummy is more than just your workouts. Yes, working out does help, especially doing the right style of workouts, as doing straight cardio doesn’t do it.  You need strength training in there too. Diet and stress play a huge role too!! We aren’t discussing those today but we are sharing a super fun workout routine that will target your abs in a different way.

Ever since Lori got diastasis we have learned so much more about what makes a strong, flat core. We realized we never really focused on our inner deepest muscles like the transverse abdominis. The transverse abdominis (TVA) forms the deepest layer of the abdominal musculature. The TVA wraps around the belly and is the most effective at drawing in the lower abdomen.

This muscle gets overlooked so much but it is so important to take care of and keep strong for everyone, moms who are pregnant or have diastasis. We all need to focus more on strengthening our inner core muscles more as they affect our day-to-day activities like reaching for something in a cabinet, brushing your teeth or picking up your kids.  Now we don’t want you to get too obsessed with only focusing on your TVA but still strengthening your entire core.

Break away from thinking that crunches are the only way to get that strong, flat tummy. And remember everyone will have different looking abs as we all have different body shapes. Focus on your own tummy in making it stronger inside and out.

There are a lot of great standing exercises to target the abs and here are our favorites.

Are you ready to give up crunches and try these standing ab exercises that really work? Yes, standing core workout!

Let’s do this together.

The standing workout for stronger abs that only takes 5 minutes

Grab your workout buddy and do this workout with us.

*Disclaimer: make sure to consult with your doctor before trying a new workout routine. If you feel any pain or discomfort while exercising, stop.

Equipment:  bodyweight

Style of workout:  core workout

Workout focus:  abs with also target the arms, back and legs

You can double this workout to make it a 10-minute standing ab workout! 

standingabworkout (Click to download your pdf)

This workout is pregnancy safe, just make sure to listen to your body.

It is also diastasis friendly if your gap is not too big and you are starting to strengthen your inner core in addition.

Make sure when you are doing this workout you are engaging your core belly button to spine as you draw up your pelvic floor at the same time. Up and in as we like to say. Sucking in is NOT engaging your core!

It is a small and gentle movement. Both transverse abdominis and pelvic floor are part of your core, and they work together.

Cheers to a stronger core!

xoxo