Although ab workouts are typically done lying on your back on a mat, did you know that you can do them standing up, too? This makes it easy to sneak in a quick workout at work, during a study break, or any other type you’re away from your mat. That’s why we’ve put together a standing ab mini workout that can be done almost anytime, anywhere, to keep you moving all day long.
A standing ab mini workout is the perfect way to sneak some more movement into your life. Plus, exercising the ab muscles while standing helps you learn to engage your abs more practically and functionally. Here are four of the best exercises you can do during your standing ab workout:
- Cross-Body Chop
- Cross-Body Leg Lift
- Leaning Obliques
- Squat Crunch
For a greater challenge, feel free to add a lightweight or medicine ball to any of these exercises.
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain how to do each exercise so you can work out with confidence. So, find a place to move, and let’s get started!
Standing Ab Mini Workout
Cross-Body Chop
Stand up straight and raise your arms over your head. Twist your torso and bring your hands down to the left side of your body as you squat slightly. Stand up again, squeezing your obliques as you untwist and return to the starting position.
Repeat this 5 to 10 times on the left, then switch sides.
Cross-Body Leg Lift
Stand tall and place your hands behind your head. Squeeze your abs as you lift your left leg to 45 or 90 degrees and reach toward it with your right hand. Slowly bring your leg back to the starting position and return your right hand behind your hand. Keep your spine long, and don’t hunch as you do this exercise.
Repeat this 5 to 10 times on the left and then switch sides. Or, you can alternate between sides every time.
Leaning Obliques
Stand tall and reach your hands overhead. Squeeze your abs and lean to the left, keeping your hips facing straight forward and your arms in line with your body. Squeeze your abs again as you straighten up and return to center.
Repeat this exercise on the other side, leaning toward the right. Complete 5 to 10 reps on each side.
Squat Crunch
Stand tall, feet shoulder-width apart, and place your hands behind your head with the elbows wide. Squat as low as is comfortable, keeping your spine long and chest up. At the bottom of the squat, squeeze your abs as you twist your torso and reach your right elbow to your left knee. Then, twist to the left while keeping your hips even. Repeat for 5 to 10 reps on each side.
If staying in the squat for that long puts a strain on your knees, return to standing after you’ve completed a twist on each side. Repeat the exercise from the beginning for 5 to 10 reps.
Finding time to move daily is so important for mental and physical health. We hope these standing ab exercises will make it even easier to sneak some movement into your routine.
