10 Minute Tabata Ab Workout

Finally, another workout post. I did create this blog to post workouts and healthy eats, but seems like all I have been posting is food lately. With summer just around the corner, I feel like I need to make sure I am getting in some good workouts. Although, it has been in the 80s in Austin already, so it pretty much is summer. I usually don’t like to do ab workouts and I feel like they are so boring and I never really stick with them to see results. I really enjoy full body workouts that engage your core, but seeing how I would like to see some definition in my mid-section, I need to start to do some core work on my own. This little routine is only 10 minutes, or less if you shorten the rest time, and can be done anywhere with no equipment needed!

If you are unfamiliar with Tabata training, they are H.I.I.T (high intensity interval training) workouts composed of short bursts of energy (20 seconds) followed by short rest time (10 seconds), completed for 8 rounds. This workout you are working during the rest time, but the total time is only 4 minutes, so it isn’t that long! Who wouldn’t like a 4 minute workout? Tabatas are really great to get your heart rate going and if you are short on time!

The first tabata is 20 seconds of situps, followed by 10 seconds of hollow-body rocks, repeated 8 times. If you are unfamiliar with hollow-body rocks, check out this short video. Make sure you stay in the hollow position while rocking, it really engages your core. After the first tabata is done you can rest for 2 minutes, or shorter or longer if you prefer. After your rest, start the second tabata – 20 seconds of a plank hold followed by 10 seconds of a superman hold (making sure you stay in the hold position for all 10 seconds), repeated 8 times. That’s it, you’re done!