By: Aaron Boike, B.S. Kinesiology, A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer

It’s warming up outside and beach season is just weeks away! Nothing screams fitness like a rock hard midsection, and this workout is designed to get you strong and toned in no time.

Bodyweight Plank – 3 sets of 30-90 seconds

• This essential core movement simply can’t be neglected when working on core strength and tone. The plank activates every muscle in the core and helps to build the endurance you will need to get to more advanced abdominal exercises. Once you can hold a basic plank for a full minute, move on to the more advanced progressions found in the second video below!

Stability Ball Knee Tucks – 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions

• This move combines core stabilization and flexion into one great movement that hits those pesky low abs. Focus on keeping a little bit of downward pressure into the ball at all times to keep the core engaged in the movement.

Decline Sit-up w/ Medicine Ball – 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions

• This next-level abdominal exercise employs the decline bench to help engage all parts of the abdominals for a wicked core burn that is sure to leave you feeling it the next day!

Renegade Row w/ Dumbbells

• This exercise challenges nearly all parts of the core, from the hips to the obliques and abdominals, by employing both linear and rotational forces to the core. This exercise can be made even more challenging by using a narrower footstance and higher weights.

Cable Rotation / Cable Twist – 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions

• No core workout is complete without a rotational movement to engage the transverse abdominals and obliques. Tightening up the obliques tightens and tones the sides of the midsection while providing postural strength and support.