Forget planks — these 3 moves will transform your abs from home

Tom's Guide

20-05-2025

Working out at home has some serious perks — no gym fees, queues for equipment, or commutes. Even better, you don't need a stack of weights or fancy machines to get stronger and see real results.
With the right moves and a motivating instructor (thank you, Alexia Clark), your living room can rival the gym — and that's exactly what happened when I tried Alexia's fiery ab workout.
With 2.6 million Instagram followers and a seriously sculpted core, Alexia knows how to build short, effective routines that challenge your muscles in all the right ways. I rolled out one of the best yoga mats, cleared the coffee table and hit play — and within minutes, my abs were burning.
Whether you've got a spare 10 minutes on your lunch break or prefer a quick morning sweat before life gets in the way, these three smart moves will hit your core from all angles to build strength and stability and help improve definition (in line with a balanced diet, of course) — no planks required.
Here's what happened when I put the workout to the test.
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'If you want sculpted, strong abs, it's not just about endless crunches,' says Alexia. 'You've got to switch it up and use your core in every exercise.' And this trio of exercises does exactly that. Every exercise hits your core from a different angle while engaging other key muscle groups.
You'll kick off with the downward dog knee tuck, a full-body exercise that hits the shoulders, glutes and deep core muscles — all while testing your balance and coordination.
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Next, oblique V-ups will fire up your lower abs and obliques, followed by the twisting bicycle crunch, which activates many core muscles and strengthens the hip flexors while being kind to your lower back.
This is a smart, time-efficient circuit, delivering serious core engagement and setting a strong foundation for your other strength or cardio workouts. After all, the key is to build a strong torso and progress from there.
I've worked this into my weekly routine, and honestly, it's one of the toughest core sessions I've tried — partly because it ditches standard planks in favor of more dynamic moves, and the variety and intensity mean your core stays switched on from the first round. I aimed for three rounds per session and felt stronger after every go.
Here's how to do each move with good form.
Reps: 10 per side
Reps: 20 (alternating sides)
Reps: 20 (10 per side)
When it comes to fitness, something is always better than nothing, and a quick blast can deliver results. Speedy sessions like these get your blood flowing, engage your muscles and strengthen your target area — in this case, your core.
Science backs it up. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that three 13-minute strength training sessions a week over eight weeks led to marked increases in strength and endurance — results comparable to much longer training sessions.
So, if you're short on time, don't stress. What counts is consistency — showing up, moving your body and making time for yourself, even in small bursts.
'All you've gotta do is show up,' says Alexia. 'Whether you're sad, happy, angry, stressed, or it's pouring outside, just show up and do something. Your body will thank you for it.'