[Perfect Never] 3 Ab Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

By now, you all know I’m all about finding workouts that you can actually ENJOY. It’s not just about sweat, it’s about feeling good in your own skin and being good to the body you’ve got, right?! Right! So, naturally when Reebok approached me about their Perfect Never campaign, I wanted to be a part of it.

Ummm yes yes YES! For me, fitness has very little to do with being perfect… if it did, I’d probably force myself to do harder workouts every single day, have a thigh gap, and you know, never eat pasta or something crazy like that 😉 No, that isn’t what fitness, or life, is about – at least not to me. Exercise is about taking care of your body, getting stronger (both mentally and physically), acknowledging the importance of health, and finding new ways your own body can empower you. Way cooler than just going to burn calories, right?

But I get it, we’re all busy. We don’t necessarily have time to think about exercise in this idyllic way. And beyond that, sometimes you have time but getting motivated is the tricky part! Or you’re traveling or you’re getting over a cold or… the list goes on.

All of this is why I decided to center this post around 3 Ab Exercises you can do (literally) anywhere!

Wanna see ’em? Alright, follow me…

I know this isn’t a revolutionary at all, but it WORKS. Press your forearms into the ground and make sure that your shoulders are stacked right over your elbows. Step your feet back and create one long line of energy from your feet all the way out through the crown of your head.

If you can, check out your form in front of a mirror before you hold it. If your hips are hanging up high, lower them down. If they’re dipping towards the ground, raise ’em up. You know what’s going to keep them in the right position? That’s right – your ABS! Engage those suckers.

Set a timer if it helps and hold for at least 30 seconds. Yes, you can!

These crunches put all other crunches to shame. You can’t get away with half-a**ing these… you’re in or you’re out. And your core will FEEL it.

Cross your right leg over your left leg. If you’re a yogi and can hook your toes, too – go for it. Next, wrap your right arm under your left arm. If this is too much on your shoulders, just go ahead and reach across your body for opposite shoulders, giving yourself a bear hug. Before you move, engage every muscle in your body. Then, from your CORE, exhale to lift your shoulder blades up off the ground, reaching your elbows to your knees. Inhale to lower back down with control and exhale lift up again.

Do about 15 of these and then switch to the other side. Yes, that core will be on fiiiiire 😉

Okay, I’ll be real – I have no idea what this is actually called, but I’ve done variations so many times in yoga classes that I don’t care! This move targets your core AND your shoulders – with an added stretching bonus! Woo!

Start in downward facing dog. Lift your right leg up to the sky, but keep your hip square to the ground with your toes pointed down. Lift your gaze, engage your core and shift forward to high plank BUT keep that right leg lifted, crunching your knee to touch your right elbow – or even higher towards your shoulder if you can! Challenge yourself to hold it for a breath, and then press back to your down dog kick.

Repeat for 10 reps and then switch to your left leg.

And that’s it! You could do all 3 right in your living room the next time you have 10 minutes to spare. They’re my go-to’s when I don’t have time to get to a full class – something is better than nothing, I always say!

And speaking of at home workouts – I also discovered this 6 minute arm workout by Tone It Up recently. I even did this when I was fighting my cough last week… I mean, you can do anything for 6 minutes, right?! Pull out those 5 pounders the next time you’re sitting in front of your tv!

For me, part of the fun of exercising is wearing cute workout gear! Obviously! I mean, if you showed up to class in a baggy tee and old sweats, you might not feel so confident, right? But if you show up in this sexy sports bra and super flattering (and fun!) high waisted leggings, maybe you’d feel a little bit like Gigi Hadid 😉 I personally always feel more confident in high waisted pants – they suck everything in, bring your eye to the smallest part of my body, and keep my legs and core compressed while I get to work. And honestly, why shouldn’t you feel good when you hit the gym? That’s the point, isn’t it?

Big thanks to Julie Kennedy for these photos – and for laughing with me when I attempt flexing poses!

Sports Bra: c/o Reebok | Pants: c/o Reebok | Yoga Mat: similar | Shoes: c/o Reebok