One of the biggest challenges with ab workouts is how quickly the muscles fatigue. It often takes just a few minutes before each move starts to feel intensely demanding.
That same challenge is also a major advantage. Because your core tires quickly, you can complete a highly effective abs workout in a short amount of time, without needing any equipment.
This 10-minute abs routine from fitness trainer Maddie Lymburner, better known as MadFit on YouTube, is designed to target your abs and obliques. It can be done anywhere you have enough room to lie down.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
The workout requires no equipment at all. Since every exercise is performed on the floor, using one of the best yoga mats can make the session more comfortable, especially on hard surfaces.
Inside MadFit’s 10-Minute Abs Workout
The routine includes 10 different exercises. Each move is performed for 45 seconds, followed by a 15-second rest before moving on.
All exercises are done in a lying position, so there’s no need to flip over for planks. It’s also a no-repeat workout, meaning each exercise is completed only once during the session.
Lymburner completes the workout alongside you and offers clear form cues and guidance. Keeping her visible and audible during the workout is helpful, especially during the rest periods when she previews the next movement.
How to Adjust the Pace
If possible, aim to match Lymburner’s tempo. She maintains a steady rhythm that helps you control each movement while still completing plenty of reps during every work interval.
If the pace feels too challenging or you need extra recovery, you can extend the rest periods. Options include adjusting the structure to 40 seconds of work and 20 seconds of rest, or 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off for beginners.
This is a demanding workout, but it’s also easy to scale based on your fitness level, making it suitable for a wide range of abilities.
Muscles Worked During the Session
The workout combines crunches for the upper abs, leg raises for the lower abs, and rotational movements that place extra emphasis on the obliques.
While it doesn’t focus as heavily on deep core stabilizers as routines built around static holds like planks, it still engages the entire core and supports strength gains that carry over into other workouts.
What to Try Next
Once you feel confident with this session and want to progress further, a 15-minute Pilates abs workout can be a great next step, especially for deep core engagement.
If you’re looking for a different approach or find that sit-ups strain your back, the Pilates ball crunch can be a useful alternative to include in future workouts.
