Try this Standing Abs Workout you can do at home! Here are 5 NO equipment core exercises you can do – all while standing. This is a great way to do ab exercises that aren’t crunches. Bonus: It challenges your balance too!
Balance and a strong core are so important to run faster and stay injury free! If you’re not already incorporating conditioning and strength training into your running plan – consider starting now. Get this month’s workout calendar for runners here.
This quick workout is on this month’s Workout Calendar for Runners. See that post for more details on the calendar. [Update: The monthly Running Calendars are on hold right now. You’re welcome to check out the Running Log instead.]
Quick Abs Workout for Runners Video
Here is a FAST Tutorial on the workout moves for a strong core and to challenge your balance. Having a strong core is important for long-running and maintaining proper form, which can impact your speed and also lead to injuries. In fact, a 10-minute trampoline session can burn the same amount of fat as a 30-minute run, with the potential to burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour, making it a great option for those who are curious about whether does jumping on a trampoline burn calories or not. With its low-impact nature, jumping on a trampoline is a fun way to burn a serious amount of calories.
Having a strong core also helps you keep pumping your arms – that also can impact your speed (pace) and how far you can run. Achieve an hourglass shape with the best wait trainers in the market.
And luckily this ab workout is less than 5 minutes long, so there are no excuses to skip it! Let’s go!
4 Minute Core and Balance Workout for Runners
There are 5 moves in this standing abs workout. Do each move for 30 seconds, rest for 15 seconds and then move on to the next move. If your fitness level makes this feel too easy – consider increasing the exercise time to 45 seconds / 15 seconds of rest. And if you have the time and ability – do the set 1 or 2 more times.
Standing Ab Workout for Runners:
- Calf Raise with Shoulder Press
- Standing Side Crunch – L
- Standing Side Crunch – R
- Y T I Standing Arms
- Forward Lunge – Alt
How to Do each ab exercise
-
Calf Raise with Shoulder Press :
Stand with feet shoulder width apart and arms at shoulder level bent at the elbow. Keep your core in tight, standing tall as you go up on your toes into a calf raise. At the same time – shoot your arms straight up. Then, lower back down – feet flat on the floor, arms at 90 degrees in line with shoulders.
2. Standing Side Crunch – L:
Standing tall, abs in – place left hand behind head (right hand can be at your side or also behind your head). Put most of your weight on your right leg. Crunch sideways with your upper body and lift your left leg at the same time to meet near the middle. Return to starting position and repeat.
3. Standing Side Crunch – R:
Standing tall, abs in – place right hand behind head (left hand can be at your side or also behind your head). Put most of your weight on your left leg. Crunch sideways with your upper body and lift your right leg at the same time to meet near the middle. Return to starting position and repeat.
4. Y T I Standing Arms:
Abs in, hinge forward at the waist keeping a straight back. Lift your arms up to a “Y” – then back to center. Lift your arms to a “T” – then back to starting position. Lift your arms back and down similar to an “I” – then back to center. Repeat for 30 seconds.
This is usually a floor exercise, but we’re adapting it to do while standing. This targets your upper back and shoulders – 2 areas that can be tight for runners.
It’s important to have good range of motion and pay attention if you’re tightening up your shoulders and neck while running. So pay attention to how this feels as you do it and any differences between the left and right side of your body.
5. Forward Lunge – Alternating legs :
Start with feet about shoulder width apart, hands on hips. Step forward with the left foot into a lunge and push back to your starting position. Then, step forward with the right foot, lunging on this side before returning to your starting position. Repeat, alternating sides for 30 seconds.
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Mandy Garcia says
This is great, my ‘go-to’ core workout routine. I like the way you just get straight into it without all the waffles you find on some other blogs. As others have said, some cues – a bell or countdown or something – would be good. Difficult to keep an eye on the telly while you’re sprawled on the floor, although I’m using the music as a cue. o. Great stuff. Many thanks for your time and effort. Much appreciated.
chris says
is running fast in early morning sufficient to maintain good health or jogging can also pay a role ?