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5 minute core workout

May 25, 2016 //  by Di Hickman//  36 Comments

5 minute core workout

Happy Workout Wednesday! I have my Lorna Jane “Happy” tank on so let’s do a  5 minute core workout you can do ANYWHERE! That’s been the theme of the workouts this month in case you hadn’t noticed. No equipment needed! Honestly I don’t spend a lot of time working my abs, I really don’t think you need to. Frankly 5-10 minutes is the max I generally spend, and that’s usually about twice a week. The full workout video is below, but  don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel for more workout videos. I’m uploading twice a week right now: Mondays is dedicated to Meatless Monday so food, recipes etc, and Wednesday’s is for workouts, fitness etc. Hoping that in June I can add Friday into the mix with general life stuff, Q&A, reviews, and more.

5 Minute Core Workout

So this Core Workout features 4 exercises and should take 5 minutes to complete two sets. Again, you don’t need to be spending forever on crunches and planks. I cannot emphasize this enough. It’s great to have a strong core BUT remember that you CANNOT spot reduce fat. Doing crunches won’t eliminate “belly fat” no matter what the marketing bullshit tries to tell you. Ok so that said, let’s get to it…

CRUNCH: The basic, but it’s a good warm up for the abs and honestly it’s a staple in most of my fitness classes as it’s something most people can do so they feel successful. That’s a key component of fitness, you need to feel successful, and celebrate those successes!  So lie back with the knees bent and the feet on the floor. Take the fingertips to the temples. Keeping the elbows opened wide lift the head and shoulders away from the floor as you exhale. Lowering down as you inhale. 10 reps of this exercise.

5 minute core workout

OBLIQUE CRUNCH: Similar action to the crunch but time to get the twisty muscles of the obliques involved. This is a full ab muscle workout afterall! Staying in that same crunch position tale the left ankle across the right knee. Try to keep the left knee out to the side. Lift the right shoulder towards the left knee and return to the starting position. Again exhale as you come across, inhale as you release down. 10 reps each side.

5 minute core workout

PLANK: Seems like yesterday that I taught a workshop on planks in England with this pioneering plank move (it was 16 years ago!), and now pretty much everyone knows what a plank is! How times change. Anyway set up face down on the ground, with the elbows under the shoulders, with the forearms on the floor, and the feet shoulder width apart. Lift the hips and knees away from the floor bringing the hips level with the shoulders. DO NOT drop the hips. It’s better to have the hips a little higher than the shoulders rather than drop the hips too low. Hold this for 45-60 seconds. Option: In the video I also show you a harder version so remember to check that out!

5 minute core workout

RUSSIAN TWIST: Time to sit down, kinda. So sitting on your butt, knees bent feet on the floor. Extend the torso back so the chest is behind the hips. Then making a fist with both hands take the hands from the right hip and twist over to the left hip. 10 reps total (right/left counts as one rep). Want more of  challenge? Lift the feet off the floor. I show this version in the video.

5 minute core workout

For the full workout, you repeat this twice. It should take about 5 minutes. This core workout is great to add onto the end of a strength or cardio workout.

Question:

How often do you work your core?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steph Jenssen

    June 9, 2016 at 4:36 am

    That tank is so cute! I love how quick & efficient this workout is – going to be easy to work this into my schedule 🙂

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 27, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      I have quite the collection of workout tanks now 😉

      Reply
  2. Stacey Stegg

    June 3, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    I need 5 minute workouts, as I working out in a regular seems to never happen. I have plans though for changes to come!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 4, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      Great news Stacey! I will have more workouts coming!

      Reply
  3. Nikki

    June 3, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    I love this time-efficient workout series! Especially the workout anywhere part.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 4, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      Totally! I am planning a series on body weight workouts this month!

      Reply
  4. HilLesha O'Nan

    June 1, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    It’s true that you can’t spot reduce problematic areas, but these core exercises can help decrease overall body fat. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 2, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      true!

      Reply
  5. Mimi B

    May 31, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    Oh gosh, I never work my core. I haven’t exercised for a long time. It would be great to incorporate into one of my breaks at work. Working from home has made me extremely inactive. I’ll try these out!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:09 pm

      Start out slow Mimi, 5 minutes a day, and work up from there! Fitness is important for health!

      Reply
  6. Toni

    May 31, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    Five minute workouts are the best workouts! And my mid area could definitely use this one…lol.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Aren’t they? Quick easy and over!

      Reply
  7. Teresa

    May 31, 2016 at 11:48 am

    What a fantastic workout. I definitely need to work out more often, and this seems like something I can actually feel comfortable trying. I’ll be giving it a shot!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Great new Teresa!

      Reply
  8. Heather

    May 31, 2016 at 5:29 am

    I feel like I never work my core. After 3 c-sections, I am definitely in need of some help with my core. I think I will try this! Thanks for the short workout – I feel like sometimes that is all I can manage in a day!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Me too heather, me too!

      Reply
  9. Ana De- Jesus

    May 30, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    Because of my chronic back and muscle issues I find crunches and twists the hardest especially since I have a dislocated shoulder. What would you say is the best way to carry out the exercises?

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:07 pm

      How the heck did you dislocate your shoulder?
      crunches – feet down and place the hands on the knees to take load off the torso and abs, easier on the shoulder too!
      twists – you can just take out the twist, or reduce the range of motion, so don’t come across as far.
      As always though listen to your body!

      Reply
  10. Amanda Love

    May 30, 2016 at 10:16 pm

    I personally don’t work out my core much these days because of my back problems. I do improvise on a few of the exercises however. Great core workout for those who need it.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      Back problems can make working the core tricky for sure, listen to your body!

      Reply
  11. Kaylene

    May 30, 2016 at 9:32 pm

    I love this workout. I’m a busy mama, but even I have five minutes to fit in a quick workout!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      right! 5 minutes is better than zero minutes!

      Reply
  12. Rachel Langer

    May 30, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    My goal for this week is to set a schedule for myself. Working many jobs and having a family is truly cutting into taking care of me time! I need to fit an easy and effective workout just like this into my day.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      totally! quick workouts are the key for a busy schedule!

      Reply
  13. Terri Steffes

    May 30, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    This workout looks super effective. I would not be able to leave the floor after I do it. I’m bookmarking it for when I can actually do this!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      hehehe honestly the video shows you some modifications so check those out!

      Reply
  14. Dawn McAlexander

    May 30, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    Oh, gosh! I wish I was able to this. I have some health issues that prevent me from doing it, but it looks great!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      hey pass it on to friends/family!

      Reply
  15. Toughcookiemommy

    May 30, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    This core workout is awesome. I love that you can do it right at home since I hate going to the gym. It’s a great way to stay active and get that much needed exercise in every single day.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Yep plus it’s core so you can do it anytime!

      Reply
  16. tp keane

    May 30, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    I tried these just now and man do they ever get your abs engaged. Love it and will keep doing it.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Great news! Glad you found they worked for you!

      Reply
  17. Robin Masshole Mommy

    May 30, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    A good core workout is hard to find. I will try this one for sure. It sounds awesome.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Thanks Robin! Please do try it!

      Reply
  18. Mary

    May 30, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Not bad. I actually enjoy doing these as is. How many times do you repeat these? Or do you just keep doing the circuit until you hit the 5 minute mark?

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      June 1, 2016 at 1:03 pm

      Honestly your core doesn’t need much. Twice through is 5 minutes, if you have longer just repeat it. THough if you had longer I’d add in some cardio instead (see my other posts for those workouts!)

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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