5 Standing Ab Moves You Haven’t Tried

by Jessica Smith
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5 Standing Ab Moves You Haven’t Tried

Working your abs on the floor is so old school! Forget countless reps of crunches that can bother your back—get up off the floor to work your core more effectively (and burn more calories in the process). This standing abs series keeps your heart rate up while working your waistline for maximum results in minimal time.

For more standing abs exercises like these, be sure to check out our “30-Minute Cardio Core” session included in our “Walk On: 21 Day Weight Loss Plan” program! There’s zero floor work included in this low-impact workout plan that’s designed to help you work your abs from every angle while burning body fat and boosting your energy level.

Standing Ab Exercises

Core Chop

Reps: 10 on each side

Benefits: Strengthens the core waistline muscles in the abs and back

Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart, knees slightly bent with arms extended, hands clasped. Shift your weight into the left leg as you bend your elbows, swinging hands above left shoulder and drawing abs in tight.

core chop 1

Quickly chop arms down and across right thigh, rotating hips to the right, bending knees and lifting left heel off the ground.

core chop 2

Do 10 reps as quickly as possible, then repeat on the opposite side.

Windmill Reach

Reps: 20, alternating sides

Benefits: This core-centric exercise taps into the muscles in the buns and thighs for a bigger calorie burn

Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart and knees back. Sit back into a squat position with arms extended out from the sides of your shoulders and your elbows bent. Let your fingertips touch lightly with palms facing down.

windmill reach 1

Shift weight into your left leg, crossing your right leg behind to lower into a curtsey lunge. Your arms should extend in line with shoulders. Hinge forward from the hips with a neutral spine to aim your right fingertips to the floor.

windmill reach 2

That’s one rep. Return to start and repeat on opposite side.

Waistline Knockout

Reps: 20, alternating sides each time

Benefits: Power up your obliques and back muscles with this boxing-inspired move

Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Keep your non-punching arm by your side with the elbow bent and your hand in a fist beside your cheek. Shift your weight into the left leg, lifting your right heel as your right arm punches across the body to the left (that’s one rep).

waistline knockout 1

Immediately repeat on the opposite side.

waistline knockout 2

Repeat quickly, alternating sides each time.

Standing Abs Crunch

Reps: 20, alternating sides each time

Benefits: This crunch will have your whole body working to help you balance. It also while targets the obliques and abdominal wall

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Shift your weight into the right leg, bending elbows out to sides of shoulders and hands in fists in front of the collarbones.

standing ab crunch 1

Draw your abs in tight toward your spine as your left knee lifts in line with the hip. Turn your right shoulder toward the lifted knee—that’s one rep.

standing ab crunch 2

Return to that start, and repeat on opposite side.

Side Slide

Reps: 10 on each side

Benefits: Works the inner thighs and waistline during this fun lateral cardio core move

Stand with feet together, elbows bent with hands in front of the shoulders. Shift your weight into your left foot.

side slide 1

Take a wide step out to the right, and transfer weight into the right leg.

side slide 2

Tap the left foot next to the right as your left arm reaches overhead, leaning torso to the right.

side slide 3

Return to the start; that’s one rep. Do 10 quick-moving reps, and repeat on the opposite side.

Photos by: Vanessa Rogers Photography

About the Author

Jessica Smith

As someone who struggled to lose weight for years, Jessica found that the key to her own 40-pound weight loss was making small, healthy lifestyle changes that led to big, lasting results. Now, as a certified wellcoach, fitness instructor and personal trainer, she has spent the last 15 years helping students and clients reach their goals in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami. She now reaches millions online through her YouTube Channel and home exercise DVD series. Please visit walkonwalkstrong.com to learn more about her fun, results-driven programs for all levels of exercisers.

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