10 Minute Core Workout For A Fitter New You!

Couldn’t get to the gym which was 1 block away cause your car broke down? Or maybe your puppy isn’t feeling too good so you decided to bunk workout today? However lame or serious your excuse is, it’s high time you take your health even more seriously. Whether you like it or not, your body needs some form of workout. In this particular post, we would talk about workouts that’ll help you strengthen your core.

All we are asking is 10 minutes of your time everyday and we promise that you’d find your core a lot more stronger by the end of first week itself. But then it’s a given that you need to actually do them and not just pin, post, or share!

Jokes apart, you would agree that having those extra kilos on yourself makes you so conscious of going out to actually shed them off. And then, of course, keeping yourself away from ‘junk food’ is so damn difficult that you are bound to get stuck in the vicious circle of not being able to get fit. Well here’s some good news! These workouts don’t need any frilly equipment plus most of them you can do anytime, anywhere.

First Up

Before you start any form of workout, however intense, ensure to warm up properly. Free your muscles. Stretch a little. Release tension and get ready to kick-start your fitness regimen yet again. Don’t worry if you’re just starting off. We have all the different levels covered for you.

There are 5 workouts, with variations. Choose what’s right for you. Which ever variant you choose, this workout schedule will only consume 10 minutes of your time. Of course, excluding breaks! But for all that it’s worth, we can bet you’ll want to do more.

Plank

Level: Beginner

Time: 2 Minutes

Plank is a very common and highly popular core strengthening workout. Ideal from all levels, planks and its variations are probably the best! So here’s the deal. If you are a beginner or somebody who hasn’t worked out for quite sometime now then start off with a regular plank. Get into the position, hold for at least 25-30 seconds, rest for 10 seconds and repeat. Try to increase the time with every set and you’ll easily be able to do 4 of these in 2 minutes and you’re ready for the next one. Make sure you dedicate the same amount of time for resting after every set as your plank hold timing. Keep your glutes, shoulders and ankles in one straight line. You can choose between a palm plank (like in image below) or do an elbow plank.

Note: If you are not a beginner, but want to do the normal plank then hold it for longer, drop slowly. Rest and repeat. Make sure you do a little more the next time.

Plank And Press

Level: Moderate

Time: 2 Minutes

Workout mode on but want to push yourself a little more? Try the plank and press. Also known commonly as an alternating plank or palm plank, Plank And Press is a level up. Do as many as you can in 2 minutes while resting wisely. Don’t do just one and rest! Pump it up and do it a notch more until you feel the pull in your muscles. Recommended would be 50, rest and repeat. Guess what else it’s called? It’s called commandos! Good to know, this workout is practiced by men and women in uniforms as a mandate in their training regimen. Imagine the awesome strength those people have. That could be yours too!

Plank Jacks

Level: Advance

Time: 2 Minutes

Plank jacks, sounds funny at first but hey the immense benefit that it holds is unbelievable. The reason why we are saying this is an advanced workout is because your strength and stamina both are challenged. And getting plank jacks right is a great favour you’ll be doing to your core. Your core becomes kickass and it’s a great form of cardio too. Double bonus! Start in a plank position (A) and then push your lower body up do a split plank (B). Keep alternating between the 2 positions.

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Mountain Climbers

Level: Moderate and for Everybody!
Time: 2 Minutes

Now, wondering why we say everybody? Well, mountain climbers are definitely not very easy to do. But the gargantuan of benefits it comes with, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this. So how do you differentiate between levels then? Do as many as you can. If 15 then push a little further and do 20 and then take a quick break and repeat. The more you push yourself the better, don’t over strain though. Why we can’t give an exact number of sets is because it may vary from person to person. The idea is to keep your core engaged for an entire 2 minutes with maybe a couple of seconds break in between.

Lunges

Level: Beginner

Time: 2 Minutes

Ha! You weren’t expecting to see this on the list did you? Yes lunges are a great way to strengthen your core and it won’t be wrong to say tone your entire body too. Lunges, of all the ones on this list, are simpler but there’s a catch. You need to do a few more than you think you can. Get your position right and do a full 2 minutes of this; of course take a break when needed. Finish 3 sets with 15 reps each and push yourself to do more, when your mind gives up. Remember your mind is the one you have to convince.

Jump Lunges or Split Lunges

Level: Moderate
Time: 2 Minutes

Find lunges to be very easy? Try this variant. Your core and heart both are benefitted by this workout. Jump lunges are very dynamic and demand you to be on your feet throughout. The fact that you need to keep your balance is not an easy task; on the brighter side, your mind is focussed! Keep doing it until you feel you’ll drop. You should feel your core, glutes, quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings working out really hard. You are assured a sexy butt with this workout. To do a jump lunge or a split lunge get into a forward lunge position (A), jump up (B) and then forward lunge with the other leg (C). Repeat. 

Note: Take this another step ahead. Add some weights to your ankles or just clench a pair of dumbbells.

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Squats

Level: Beginner

Time: 2 Minutes

Squats are generally thought of only when you want to strengthen of your lower body, your legs and knees. Little do people know that a clean squat is a complete body workout in itself. Your core builds impressively and both your upper and lower body are benefited.

Jump Squats

Level: Moderate

Time: 2 Minutes

Jump squats are a great form of cardio workout with all the benefits of squats plus it’s great for improving mobility and balance. All that accumulated fat around your waist is going to disappear with this workout! Nothing else needs to be said.

Burpees

Level: Advance

Time: 2 Minutes

Ask anybody with a sexy chiseled body and more than 80% are probably going to tell you their favourite workout is a burpee! For all good reasons, this compound workout should be your favourite too. The amount of calories it burns and the way this workout strengthens, tones and conditions your core (whole body as well) is unbeatable. Do as many burpees as you can in 2 minutes. So, when your mind whispers I’m not able to do this”don’t let this get you down. With each passing day, you’ll be able to do more and more. So, did you burpee today?

Post Workout Notes

That’s about the power packed 10 minutes of your day. Some very important post workout notes for you include hydrating and eating right. And not to forget, flex yourself properly after every workout session; post workout stretching can go a long way when it’s done properly. A hot-warm shower would most probably comfort you too. This will help aid your sore muscles. Try not to skip a day of workout just cause your muscles are sore; it’s a sign from your body that the workout is working.

Ask all those sneaking suspicions and the lurking doubts of if you’ll be able to do it or not to walk right out the door. You just go ahead and work yourself to shape! 10 minutes is all you need. Show us some love. Don’t forget to like and share this article, and feel free to comment in the section below.