An Energizing 5-minute Core Workout To Fire Up Your Abs

You know what's important? Your core. You might not realize it, but your core supports virtually every movement your body makes.

We advocate core training not for the aesthetic reasons you'll find plaster around movie posters and in other fitness magazines, but because a strong and healthy core is vital to living a sustainable, healthy, and happy life. Don't believe us? Try doing the things that bring you joy in your life without using your core. Reaching for an extra slice of pizza? You're using your core! We just want you to have a strong core so you can eat more pizza.

Luckily for you, it's easy to sneak in a core workout no matter where you are or what your schedule is like. You might think you're incredibly busy––and we believe you––but you have five minutes to spare. Heck, you might not even break a sweat doing this workout, but you'll surely reap the benefits––like eating more pizza.

5-minute core workout

Complete one round of the following exercises, performing the movements as fast as you can without sacrificing form.

Plank rocks | 30 seconds

1. Place hands on floor directly underneath shoulders, legs straight behind, feet together and toes curled under 2. Tense every muscle to keep body in a straight line from head through top heels and parallel to floor 3. Rock forward coming onto toes with shoulders over fingertips 4. Rock back to start position for one rep

Mountain climbers variation | 30 seconds

1. Place hands on floor directly under shoulders, coming into plank position 2. Tense every muscle to keep body in a straight line from head through heels at all times 3. Pull right knee in towards chest, then place right foot back down 4. Pull right knee to the outside of right arm, then place right foot back down 5. Repeat on the left side to complete one repetition

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Plank hip dips | 30 seconds

1. Place elbows on floor directly underneath shoulders with forearms parallel, then curl toes under and come to forearm plank 2. Tense every muscle to keep body in a straight line from head to knees 3. Slowly drop right hip to ground, come back to start position then repeat with left hip

Dig core work? Read more about how to tone your abs.

Side plank twist (right) | 30 seconds

1. Lie on right side with right forearm directly under shoulder on floor, hips and feet stacked 2. Raise hips off floor so body forms a straight line from head to feet 3. Lift hips up as high as possible with left arm bent, elbow over shoulder 4. Keep torso stable and reach right arm under, twisting hips down and coming onto both toes 5. Return to start position to complete one repetition

Plank rocks | 30 seconds

1. Place hands on floor directly underneath shoulders, legs straight behind, feet together and toes curled under 2. Tense every muscle to keep body in a straight line from head through top heels and parallel to floor 3. Rock forward coming onto toes with shoulders over fingertips 4. Rock back to start position for one rep

Side plank twist (left) | 30 seconds

1. Lie on left side with left forearm directly under shoulder on floor, hips and feet stacked 2. Raise hips off floor so body forms a straight line from head to feet 3. Lift hips up as high as possible with right arm bent, elbow over shoulder 4. Keep torso stable and reach right arm under, twisting hips down and coming onto both toes 5. Return to start position to complete one repetition

Plank hip dips | 30 seconds

1. Place elbows on floor directly underneath shoulders with forearms parallel, then curl toes under and come to forearm plank 2. Tense every muscle to keep body in a straight line from head to knees 3. Slowly drop right hip to ground, come back to start position then repeat with left hip

Swimmers | 30 seconds

1. Lie on stomach 2. Lift hands and feet up off floor, palms facing one another 3. At the same time, lift left hand and right foot higher, as right hand and left foot drop lower 4. Alternate sides and repeat movement

Plank rocks | 30 seconds

1. Place hands on floor directly underneath shoulders, legs straight behind, feet together and toes curled under 2. Tense every muscle to keep body in a straight line from head through top heels and parallel to floor 3. Rock forward coming onto toes with shoulders over fingertips 4. Rock back to start position for one rep

Panther hold | 30 seconds

1. On the floor, begin with hands underneath shoulders and knees underneath hips 2. Curl toes under feet to lift knees several inches off ground, with back flat and parallel to floor 3. Hold for indicated amount of time, breathe deeply

Have more free time? Try this 10-minute core workout.