Forget the gym — you just need 12 minutes to sculpt a stronger core with this equipment-free workout

Home workouts are an effective way to begin or refresh a fitness routine. If you’re aiming to train more this January, short, practical sessions that fit easily into your living room are an ideal choice. The next time you have a spare moment to exercise, try this quick core-focused workout. It was created by fitness trainer FitByMik and is designed to suit all fitness levels.

equipment-free workout
equipment-free workout

The session takes just 12 minutes to complete and requires no special equipment. While optional, using a yoga mat can improve comfort, especially on hard floors. One standout feature of this workout is that two trainers appear on screen. FitByMik demonstrates easier, modified movements, while her training partner Sydney performs more advanced variations, making it easy to choose the right level.

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Watch FitByMik’s 12-Minute Core Session

12 min CORE BURN WORKOUT | Strong Abs | Both Advanced + Modified Variations — YouTube

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The workout includes 12 exercises, each performed for 45 seconds followed by 15 seconds of rest. The exercise selection targets the upper abs, lower abs, obliques, and the deep core muscles that support everyday movement and stability.

What to Expect From the Workout

If you’re new to core training, this routine introduces many foundational exercises you’re likely to encounter again as you continue training, including leg raises and crunches.

The fast-paced structure, paired with clear guidance and motivation from FitByMik, makes the 12 minutes pass quickly. Since each movement is performed only once—or once per side—you’re always progressing to something new once a set is finished.

Adjusting the Workout to Your Fitness Level

The routine is easy to adapt based on your ability. Along with having two versions of every exercise, beginners can extend rest periods or switch to a 30-seconds work, 30-seconds rest format.

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For those seeking a tougher challenge, you can increase your pace to fit in more repetitions or add light resistance, such as a dumbbell, to raise the difficulty.

How Often Should You Do This Core Workout?

Completing this workout one, two, or three times per week can lead to noticeable improvements in core strength. These gains often carry over into other workouts and daily activities. Even training just once a week is beneficial and worth the effort.

Consistency plays a major role in building strength and overall fitness. If repeating the same routine becomes dull, you can rotate it with other core-focused sessions, such as a 15-minute workout that targets the abs from multiple angles.

Progressive overload is also essential for long-term results. Once the exercises begin to feel manageable, increasing the challenge helps ensure continued improvement.

You can do this by choosing longer workouts, adding resistance with dumbbells or bands, or selecting more advanced exercise variations. These changes also help keep your training engaging and varied.

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Author: Travis

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