Muscle & Fitness logo Muscle & Fitness

  • Workouts

    Workouts

    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
    Find Exercises Targeting…
    • Abs and Core Exercises
    • Arm Exercises
    • Back Exercises
    • Chest Exercises
    • Leg Exercises
    • Shoulder Exercises
  • Nutrition

    Nutrition

    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
    Leucine powder and supplement with chemical formula
    Healthy Eating

    Here's Why Leucine Matters in your Wellness Plan

    Healthy and delicious Cottage Cheese in a bowl
    Healthy Eating

    Why Cottage Cheese is Making a Resurgence

    Elderly japanese man eating with a young japanese boy practicing Hara Hachi Bu diet method
    Healthy Eating

    What is the hara hachi bu diet and how does it work?

    Girl holding a linear bar
    Healthy Eating

    Behind the Bar: Why Linear Bar’s Founder Decided the Protein Bar Industr...

  • Athletes & Celebrities

    Athletes & Celebrities

    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
    David Charvet and his son Shaya Charvet posing and showing their muscular physique
    Interviews

    Why Father’s Day Is Extra Rewarding for David Charvet

    Mitchell Hooper kissing his wife after a deadlift showdown at the Enhanced Games
    Pro Tips

    Mitchell Hooper Wants a Bigger Conversation Than Just Performance Enhanc...

    England's 2026 World Cup striker Harry Kane scores two consecutive goals against Croatia
    News

    Harry Kane Delivers Record-Tying Performance in Thrilling World Cup Win

    Oregon QB Dante Moore on the field prepping to throw the ball long during a game
    Interviews

    Dante Moore's New Routine Has Him ready to Compete for a National Title

  • Features

    Features

    • From our Partners
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
    National Men's mental health month and awareness symbolized with a blue ribbon
    News

    The Men’s Health Crisis Nobody Is Talking About: Why June Matters More T...

    Female checking her weight after a yo-yo diet
    News

    Do Yo-Yo Diets Really Ruin Your Metabolism?

    Thor Bjornsson at the Enhanced Games
    From our Partners

    The Enhanced Games Didn’t End the Debate. They Changed It.

    Woman drinking a bottled water in the sun after a d 7 day water fast
    News

    What Really Happens to Your Body After 7 Days Without Food?

  • Anti-Aging

    Anti-Aging

    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
    Director of Cornucopia Events Mini Vohra, a celebrity events strategist, Director of Cornucopia Events, British entrepreneur, and former barrister
    Wellness

    Longevity Is the New Luxury: Inside the $100K Biohacking Lifestyle

    Wellness retreat attendees performing yoga at SHA wellness retreat
    Wellness

    Can Your Biomarkers Build A Vacation Itinerary?

    Elderly man placing weights on a barbell
    Wellness

    Strength Training Is the New Anti-Aging Drug

    Supplement stack
    Functional Medicine

    The 5-Supplement Stack That Slows Aging and Boosts Muscle Growth

  • Flex

    Flex

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
    William Bonac bodybuilder interview on a podcast
    News

    William Bonac Fires Back at Critics: 'My Physique Is Still Getting Bette...

    Bodybuilders Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates training and mentoring the young bodybuilder on the Maximum Results training method
    Training

    Dorian Yates Shares How Mike Mentzer Still Inspires 'Maximum Results'

    Former Mr. Olympia winner Derek Lunsford trains Josema Beast’s back workout
    News

    Josema Beast Gets a Back Training Masterclass From Derek Lunsford

    TMP
    News

    Dennis James Says One Hour of This Could Have Changed His Career

  • Hers

    Hers

    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
    Female bodybuilder Erin Stern performing her lower body workout and top 3 inner thigh exercises for a tone and sculpted legs
    Hers Workouts

    These 3 Exercises Will Transform Your Inner Thighs—Fast

    social media fitness influencer and inspirational personal trainer, Stephanie Sanzo performs her birthday leg day workout
    Hers Workouts

    Stephanie Sanzo Proves Age Is Just a Number Each Leg Day

    Fitness Coach Anna McManamey-Cashion shares her tips for a post-binge reset for fitness and a healthy gut
    Muscle & Fitness Hers

    3 Proven Post-Binge Tips to Get Back on Track Fast

    Tiffany Stratton
    Muscle & Fitness Hers

    Tiffany Stratton Is Prepping for Her Return to Another Stage

  • Olympia

    Olympia

    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
    Caesar Bacarella performing a dumbbell workout with biceps curls
    Pro Tips

    Caesar Bacarella Is Building a Fitness Empire at Full Speed

    Olympia-2019-Whiteny-Jones-Press-Conference
    Interviews

    Whitney Jones Can Break, But Can Never Be Broken

    IFBB Wellness Pro Yarishna Ayala
    Interviews

    Yarishna Ayala Shares Advice for Future Wellness Division Competitors

    2021 Mr. Olympia Top 3 winners Brandon Curry, Big Ramy, Hadi Choopin
    News

    BIG RAMY WINS THE 2021 OLYMPIA!

Subscribe to YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Accessibility Statement Do Not Sell
  • Workouts
    • Workout Routines
    • Workout Tips
    • Fitness
    • Athlete/Celebrity Workouts
    • Exercise Videos
  • Nutrition
    • Healthy Eating
    • Lose Fat
    • Gain Mass
    • Supplements
    • Performance Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
    • News
    • Interviews
    • Women
    • Pro Tips
    • Behind-the-Scenes
    • Videos
  • Features
    • From our Partners
    • Active Lifestyle
    • M&F: Fit to Serve
    • Gear
    • News
    • Opinion
  • Anti-Aging
    • Functional Medicine
    • Hormone Optimization
    • Recovery
    • Wellness
  • Flex
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Athletes
    • Nutrition
    • Training
    • Videos
  • Hers
    • Workouts
    • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Athletes & Celebrities
    • Features
  • Olympia
    • Olympia Coverage
    • Buy Tickets
  • Resources & Highlights
    • Topics
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Do Not Sell

Stay Connected

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest
Open menu button
Open search bar button
×

Search M&F

Featured Articles
Lean Muscle
Healthy Eating

28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.

Read article
Glamorous Hollywood actress in a black evening gown posing at a red carpet event, representing one of the hottest female celebrities in Hollywood
Women

The 25 Hottest Female Celebrities

Talented stars, killer physiques.

Read article
Bench press record holder Bill Gillespie breaking the world record at age 62
Pro Tips

The 'Dos' and 'Don’ts' of Bill Gillespie’s Record-Breaking Bench Press

At age 62, "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks.

Read article
The 50 Best Female Fitness Influencers on Instagram
Girls

The 50 Best Fitness Influencers on Instagram

Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation.

Read article
Abs and Core Exercises

The 20 Minutes to Hard ‘Core’ Abs Workouts

Get a ripped midsection—fast—with these 7 challenging core workouts.

by Men's Fitness Editors
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
hanging leg raises
View Gallery

The 20 Minutes to Hard ‘Core’ Abs Workouts

Close gallery popup button
1 OF 7

1 of 7

hanging leg raises

Workout 1

Exercise 1: Bicycle Crunch
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Lie on your back, extending one leg, while bringing the opposite knee toward your chest. With your hands behind your head, touch your opposite elbow to the close knee. Twist your body and touch the other elbow to your other knee.Exercise 2: Hanging Leg Raise
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 each side
Grab onto a pullup bar and hang with your back straight. Then, raise your legs up as high as you can, rounding your lower back. If that’s too hard, raise them only to waist level.Exercise 3: Back Extension
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Hold a weight against your chest and lock your legs into a back-extension apparatus. Allow your torso to bend forward until you begin to lose the arch in your lower back, but no farther. Extend your back so that your body forms a straight line. Do not arch excessively.SEE ALSO: 28 Days to Six-Pack Abs

2 of 7

romanian deadlift

Workout 2

Exercise 1: Barbell Rollout
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Load lightweight plates on a barbell and set it on the floor. Hold the bar with both hands about shoulder-width apart and kneel on the floor so the bar is in front of your chest. Keeping your abs braced, roll forward as far as you can until you feel your lower back is about to start sagging. Flex your lats hard and drive back to the starting position.Exercise 2: Cable Wood Chop
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable station and back up far enough away from the machine so that there is tension on the cable. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and split your legs, so that one foot is a few feet in front of the other. Rotate your torso diagonally upward until you’re reaching overhead, in a chopping motion. Complete your reps and then repeat on the opposite side.Exercise 3: Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift
Sets: 3
Reps: 20
Load lightweight plates on a barbell and set it on the floor. Hold the bar with both hands about shoulder-width apart and kneel on the floor so the bar is in front of your chest. Keeping your abs braced, roll forward as far as you can until you feel your lower back is about to start sagging. Flex your lats hard and drive back to the starting position.SEE ALSO: The Deadlift: Step-by-Step for Optimal Results

3 of 7

Medicine ball russian twist

Workout 3

Exercise 1: Plank Mountain Climber
Sets: 3
Reps: 20 on each side
Get into pushup position and lower your elbows to the floor so your forearms are flat. Draw one knee up to your elbow, and then drive it back quickly, pulling the other knee up to the opposite elbow.Exercise 2: Cable Wood Chop
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable station and back up far enough away from the machine so that there is tension on the cable. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and split your legs, so that one foot is a few feet in front of the other. Rotate your torso diagonally upward until you’re reaching overhead, in a chopping motion. Complete your reps and then repeat on the opposite side.Exercise 3: Dumbbell Russian Twist
Sets: 3
Reps: 20 on each side
Grab a medicine ball, dumbbell, or weight plate and sit on the floor with your feet raised slightly above the floor. Hold the weight straight out in front of you and keep your back straight (your torso should be about 45 degrees from the floor). Explosively twist your torso as far as you can to the right, and then the left.SEE ALSO: Plank Progression for Muscle Growth

4 of 7

15-Minute Workout: Burn It Up with the 3-Headed Monster

Workout 4

Exercise 1: Renegade Row
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Hold a dumbbell (or kettlebell) in each hand and get into pushup position. Shift your weight to your left side while staying rigid. Row the right-hand dumbbell to your side, but keep your torso parallel to the ground. Lower the dumbbell back to the floor, shift to the right, and row with your left arm.Exercise 2: Decline Situp
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Set an adjustable bench to a decline and lie back on it, securing your legs in the braces. Squeeze your abs and raise your torso off the bench until you’re sitting upright.SEE ALSO: 6 Tips for a Ripped Six-Pack

5 of 7

bicycle crunch

Workout 5

Exercise 1: Bicycle Crunch
Sets: 3
Reps: 20Exercise 2: Hanging Leg Lift
Sets: 3
Reps: 15Exercise 3: Back Extension
Sets: 3
Reps: 15SEE ALSO: 6 Moves for 6 Pack Abs

6 of 7

5 Moves for a Concrete Core

Workout 6

Exercise 1: Barbell Rollout
Sets: 3
Reps: 15Exercise 2: Cable Wood Chop
Sets: 3
Reps: 15Exercise 3: DB Romanian Deadlift
Sets: 3
Reps: 25SEE ALSO: Full Body Kettlebell Workout

7 of 7

19

Workout 7

Exercise 1: Plank Mountain Climber
Sets: 3
Reps: 25Exercise 2: Russian Twist
Sets: 3
Reps: 25Exercise 3: Back Extension
Sets: 3
Reps: 15SEE ALSO: Gain 10 lbs. of Muscle in 4 Weeks

Back to intro

Workout 1

Exercise 1: Bicycle Crunch
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Lie on your back, extending one leg, while bringing the opposite knee toward your chest. With your hands behind your head, touch your opposite elbow to the close knee. Twist your body and touch the other elbow to your other knee.

Exercise 2: Hanging Leg Raise
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 each side
Grab onto a pullup bar and hang with your back straight. Then, raise your legs up as high as you can, rounding your lower back. If that’s too hard, raise them only to waist level.

Exercise 3: Back Extension
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Hold a weight against your chest and lock your legs into a back-extension apparatus. Allow your torso to bend forward until you begin to lose the arch in your lower back, but no farther. Extend your back so that your body forms a straight line. Do not arch excessively.

SEE ALSO: 28 Days to Six-Pack Abs

Workout 2

Exercise 1: Barbell Rollout
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Load lightweight plates on a barbell and set it on the floor. Hold the bar with both hands about shoulder-width apart and kneel on the floor so the bar is in front of your chest. Keeping your abs braced, roll forward as far as you can until you feel your lower back is about to start sagging. Flex your lats hard and drive back to the starting position.

Exercise 2: Cable Wood Chop
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable station and back up far enough away from the machine so that there is tension on the cable. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and split your legs, so that one foot is a few feet in front of the other. Rotate your torso diagonally upward until you’re reaching overhead, in a chopping motion. Complete your reps and then repeat on the opposite side.

Exercise 3: Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift
Sets: 3
Reps: 20
Load lightweight plates on a barbell and set it on the floor. Hold the bar with both hands about shoulder-width apart and kneel on the floor so the bar is in front of your chest. Keeping your abs braced, roll forward as far as you can until you feel your lower back is about to start sagging. Flex your lats hard and drive back to the starting position.

SEE ALSO: The Deadlift: Step-by-Step for Optimal Results

Workout 3

Exercise 1: Plank Mountain Climber
Sets: 3
Reps: 20 on each side
Get into pushup position and lower your elbows to the floor so your forearms are flat. Draw one knee up to your elbow, and then drive it back quickly, pulling the other knee up to the opposite elbow.

Exercise 2: Cable Wood Chop
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable station and back up far enough away from the machine so that there is tension on the cable. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and split your legs, so that one foot is a few feet in front of the other. Rotate your torso diagonally upward until you’re reaching overhead, in a chopping motion. Complete your reps and then repeat on the opposite side.

Exercise 3: Dumbbell Russian Twist
Sets: 3
Reps: 20 on each side
Grab a medicine ball, dumbbell, or weight plate and sit on the floor with your feet raised slightly above the floor. Hold the weight straight out in front of you and keep your back straight (your torso should be about 45 degrees from the floor). Explosively twist your torso as far as you can to the right, and then the left.

SEE ALSO: Plank Progression for Muscle Growth

Workout 4

Exercise 1: Renegade Row
Sets: 3
Reps: 12 on each side
Hold a dumbbell (or kettlebell) in each hand and get into pushup position. Shift your weight to your left side while staying rigid. Row the right-hand dumbbell to your side, but keep your torso parallel to the ground. Lower the dumbbell back to the floor, shift to the right, and row with your left arm.

Exercise 2: Decline Situp
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Set an adjustable bench to a decline and lie back on it, securing your legs in the braces. Squeeze your abs and raise your torso off the bench until you’re sitting upright.

SEE ALSO: 6 Tips for a Ripped Six-Pack

Workout 5

Exercise 1: Bicycle Crunch
Sets: 3
Reps: 20

Exercise 2: Hanging Leg Lift
Sets: 3
Reps: 15

Exercise 3: Back Extension
Sets: 3
Reps: 15

SEE ALSO: 6 Moves for 6 Pack Abs

Workout 6

Exercise 1: Barbell Rollout
Sets: 3
Reps: 15

Exercise 2: Cable Wood Chop
Sets: 3
Reps: 15

Exercise 3: DB Romanian Deadlift
Sets: 3
Reps: 25

SEE ALSO: Full Body Kettlebell Workout

Workout 7

Exercise 1: Plank Mountain Climber
Sets: 3
Reps: 25

Exercise 2: Russian Twist
Sets: 3
Reps: 25

Exercise 3: Back Extension
Sets: 3
Reps: 15

SEE ALSO: Gain 10 lbs. of Muscle in 4 Weeks

Topics:
  • Abs
  • Build Muscle
  • Fat Loss
Author picture
Written by Men's Fitness Editors
Related Articles
David Charvet and his son Shaya Charvet posing and showing their muscular physique
Interviews

Why Father’s Day Is Extra Rewarding for David Charvet

Mitchell Hooper kissing his wife after a deadlift showdown at the Enhanced Games
Pro Tips

Mitchell Hooper Wants a Bigger Conversation Than Just Performance Enhanc...

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

Muscle & Fitness logo

Follow us

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

More news

Athletic muscular man performing a rope crunch exercise
Abs and Core Exercises

You’re Doing Rope Crunches Wrong: Here’s How To Build a Six Pack

Done right, cable crunches can be a direct line to deep and developed abs.

Read article
Muscular fit and athletic man with a solid six pack performing Bruce Lee's dragon flag exercise
Abs and Core Exercises

The Dragon Flag Might Be the Ultimate Abs Exercise—If You Can Do It

Bruce Lee created it, now here’s your chance to perfect this challenging move.

Read article
Record holder for most pullups Jade Henderson performing her brutal ab workout for solid core muscles
Abs and Core Exercises

She Did 733 Pull-Ups—Now Try Her Brutal Ab Finisher

Three exercises and one wall is all this record breaker requires.

Read article
All Abs and Core Exercises
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Workouts
  4. /
  5. Abs and Core Exercises
  6. /
  7. The 20 Minutes to Hard ‘Core’ Abs Workouts
Muscle & Fitness logo
  • Workouts
  • Nutrition
  • Athletes & Celebrities
  • Features
  • Recipes
  • Topics
  • Videos
  • Exercise Videos
  • Podcasts
  • RSS Feed
  • Buy Olympia Tickets
  • Archives
  • Sitemap
Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest

Newsletter Signup

Stay up to date

Sign up below to receive our newest workout routines, recipes, news stories, and offers from our partners

JW Media, LLC

Copyright 2026 JW Media, LLC, parent company of Muscle & Fitness. All rights reserved.

Contact Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Do Not Sell Accessibility Statement