This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Maggie Lardie. Find her on Instagram at @maggielardie. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
As the weather gets colder and the outside world gets less accessible, many people find their workout motivation plummeting. Hardly anyone wants to go for a run in the freezing cold, and although going to the gym is always an option, sometimes braving the weather just to get to your car doesn’t seem like the move. Gyms are great for weightlifting, cardio and even fitness classes, but if you’re looking for a way to get exercise in the comfort of your home, we recommend a quick and easy ab workout. We’re sure many of you became familiar with the convenience of at-home ab workouts in 2020, but we have to highlight how great they are for beginners as well. They also pair perfectly with cozy cardio! If you were looking to try some beginner ab exercises at home this winter, here are some we recommend.
The Plank
It’s a popular one for a reason! Not only does this exercise require no additional weights or equipment, but it can be modified to best suit your needs. You can hold yourself up on your hands or your forearms – wherever you feel most comfortable! All that’s important here is that you keep your back straight. No sagging! While this exercise obviously engages your abs, it’s effective in engaging muscles in other areas of the body as well. This makes it the perfect addition to any warm up or rotation.
Mountain Climbers
Another movement that can be modified, mountain climbers are great for stabilizing your core. Start by holding yourself up on your hands in a push-up position, then bring one knee at a time toward your chest. Complete this movement however many times you feel is necessary, but if you decide to go fast, make sure you’re not sacrificing form for speed! Keep the same tension in your core that you would during a plank. If you’re looking to engage your obliques and hip flexors, try cross-body mountain climbers! It’s the same movement, but instead of bringing your knee straight forward towards your chest, you would bring it across your body and towards your opposite elbow. Both renditions of this movement incorporate arm and leg strength in addition to core, as well as a bit of cardio!
Toe Touches
If you’re feeling sick of the more intense ab workouts and just want to lay on your back for a bit, this is the movement for you! Lay flat on your back while holding your feet straight up towards the ceiling. Once you do that, all you have to do is touch your toes! Try to focus on keeping your lower back flat on the floor when you reach upwards – your head, shoulders and arms should be the only thing going up. Just like with the other movements on our list, focusing on the tension in your core is key! Make sure you’re working and engaging those muscles. If you’re looking for a challenge, try holding a weight in your hands while you reach up.
Bird Dog
As strange as the name sounds, there is a reason for it! This exercise requires you to start in a tabletop position (put your knees and palms on the ground while keeping your back flat). Once you’re there. Extend one arm out in front of you, while doing the same in the back with your opposite leg. Next, tuck that arm and leg back in under your stomach and squeeze your core. Repeat the motion as many times as necessary on each side.
Sitting Twists
Another exercise that involves sitting! This one can be done with or without a weight in your hands. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Next, bring your hands together, stabilize your core, and rotate your hands from side to side. You can also lift your feet a few inches off the ground to make this one a little more difficult. The thing to note here is to make sure your core isn’t going back and forth along with your arms. It should remain strong and stable.
What are your favorite beginner ab exercises at home? Let us know in the comments!
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