Posted on July 24, 2018 by Emily Forbes

The unusually long UK heatwave sees no signs of abating yet  (I’m not complaining). But this does mean restless nights leave people tired. There is an overall sense of lethargy and it can be just too hot to train. Let’s not use the weather as excuse not to get a workout done (too typically British). With this in mind, there is no need to torture yourself with an hour long slog in the sun trying to complete a 10 km run. Why not get up 15 min earlier to get a short, high intensity abs workout done (whilst it’s relatively coolish?).

The workout

  • 15 minutes.
  • 30 seconds high intensity exercise followed by 30 seconds abs. 5 sets done 3 times.
  • Try to have as little rest as possible.
  1. Burpees (add in press up and tuck jump for added intensity) and ab cycles (crunch opposite elbow to knee).
  2. Jumping lunges and cross-mountain climbers (in a straight arm plank position, squeeze opposite knee towards opposite elbow. Focus on technique rather than speed, really feeling it in your obliques).
  3. Diamond jumps (jump forward back, side-to-side) and flutter kicks (lying on your back engage the core and start to scissor the legs up and down. Make sure your are straight and not bending at the knee. The closer your legs are to the ground the harder it is. Make sure that your lower back isn’t arching off the ground, if it is raise your legs higher).
  4.  Squat jumps and side plank twists (Hold side plank for a couple of seconds on one side. Bring the top arm to the ground and twist into side plank on the other side without bringing ,,your hips down. Keep arms straight but can be modified by bringing bottom leg down for support)
  5. Star jumps and alternating jacknives (lie on your back with arms stretched over head and legs straight. Lift one leg and crunch the hands up to touch the toes. Lower leg and arms then keep alternating the legs).

Definitely enough to get the heart rate up and the fat burning! Everyone always wants to work on abs for their summer bodies but the abs are actually beneficial for a good posture and keeping us out of pain. This workout also has the benefit of being able to be done anywhere as it uses only body weight. If you are not very fit try starting with one set and building up or you can always add how many rounds you choose to do.

Check out more workouts here.