ab workouts

Take five minutes out of your day to challenge your core. Strengthening the center of your body does wonders for your posture and your athletic performance — hello increased endurance! You might be unfamiliar with two of the moves, so watch our video tutorials to help you master the up-down plank (aka push-up walks) and advanced bridge.

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on POPSUGAR Fitness!

This is kind of awkward: Even though I'm an editor at SELF, I get self-conscious in group classes and thus don't want to attend even though I desperately want to reap the benefits. Basically my life changed in 2011 when Nike relaunched their Nike Training Club app and I was able to do all these cool strengthening, lengthening and toning moves from the comfort of my (albeit cramped) living room — or anywhere else in the world. And someone else agrees with me. Namely this really famous, epic tennis star.

SELF has already sung Nike Training Club's praises before; we've even dubbed it a "personal trainer in your pocket." Well we've fallen all over in love again, and we're about to break some big news to you guys: Serena Williams has JUST launched her Core Power workout on NTC that's available for download and we have the first look — not to mention a few wise words from Serena herself.

Designed to work the core and abdominal muscles, Serena showed us that Core Power uses a stability ball and resistance bands to increase overall core strength, which in turn helps to create a lean, strong body. And when I spoke to Serena about creating Core Power for Nike Training Club, she told me that "the drills featured in the Core Power workout are based on key exercises I do regularly to stay strong. Everything I do on court begins with strength from the core, so it's the perfect foundation for my training as a tennis player." Core Power is also great when tacked on to a great cardio workout — even a run — and also helps Serena target specific muscle groups she feels need extra work. (Although, look at her. Look at her abs. Watch her play! What needs extra work?) Serena let us peek behind the scenes at the filming of her Core Power routine and officially gives you her new Nike Training Club workout from start to finish. Warning: Your abs will be feelin' it later!

Read on for the workout.

Drumroll, please . . . the secret to a six-pack has finally been revealed! If you've been working on your abs and still aren't seeing results, then it might be time to switch things up. According to Gunnar Peterson, Celebrity trainer to stars like Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani, there are three things you should focus on when doing core work, and not one of them requires a traditional sit-up!

1. Be consistent: As with all workouts, being consistent is the key to great abs! Gunnar suggests you work your abs at least twice a week or every other day. Sticking with an ab routine like this will help build strength and maximize results. When it comes to your abs, doing regular cardio and sticking with a clean eating plan and flat-belly foods is equally important.
2. Work in multiple planes of motion: Consider this your excuse to skip the crunches! Although crunches have their benefits, they don't work your entire core. Because our midsection is divided into three parts — the upper abs, obliques, and lower abs — you must do a variety of exercises to see results. This all-abs workout will work your entire midsection, and this video will tackle all four layers of abdominal muscles for a sleek midsection. Bonus: many of these exercises work more than just your abs too!
3. Add weights: Adding weights to your core workout will make an ab series more effective. Gunnar helps his celebrity clients get cover-worthy abs with five- to 10-pound dumbbells and a similar weighted ab workout.

If you want a strong core, you don't have to stick with crunches and sit-ups to work your way to a six-pack. Here are some fun workouts that focus on your core without the boredom.

TRX: The possibilities with this suspension system are endless, which means your workout never has to be boring. By using the straps to balance during everything from planks to lunges helps engage the abs no matter what moves you're doing. If you've seen these black and yellow straps at your gym and are unsure of what expect, read our TRX tips for beginners before you sign up for a class.

Pilates: Pilates focuses on core muscles with every move; they're so important to the practice that these muscles are often referred to as your powerhouse, so even when you are toning your legs, you're also working on your core. Pilates also helps you be more aware of your body and how your core muscles control the rest of your body. Try this metabolism-boosting Pilates workout to learn how to engage your abs no matter what you are doing.

Capoeira: A little bit of dance, a little bit of martial arts, and a whole lot of ab-toning fun. The Brazilian martial art practice of capoeira is a great way to jazz up your normal ab routine (and tone the rest of your body as well). You can do this capoeira-inspired video workout to Brazilify your abs in your living room.