5-Minute Do Anywhere Ab Blaster Workout

Happy Wednesday!  As I mentioned earlier in the week, I'm in super busy packing mode now.  I don't have time for a full blown workout at the moment what with packing up 2 apartments and moving to a new state (!), but I thought I'd put up this quickie ab workout for you all today.  Seems like everyone is short on time almost ALL the time these days, but there are always ways to fit in a little muscle work.  If you have just 5 minutes, even right when you get up in the morning, or before bed, fit in a little exercise and your body will thank you. :)  Here's a good place to start!  The best part about this workout is it's easy to do anywhere you find yourself because you don't need any equipment.  So let's get moving!

5-Minute Do Anywhere Ab Blaster Workout

Set your timer for 5 minutes and do each exercise for 1 minute.  Feel free to do more rounds for a longer, more intense workout, or keep it a short 'n' sweet 5 minutes if you're low on time. 

Standing Side Crunches + Reach (30 sec. each side) - start standing with one hand behind your head and crunch to the side bringing your knee to meet your elbow.  Lower your leg back down lightly tapping the floor with your foot, while also reaching over your head to the other side.  Alternate crunch + reach for 30 seconds on one side, then switch for the next 30 seconds.

Feet-to-Hand Mountain Climbers - regular MC's with your hands either on the ground or propped up on a chair/bench.  Bring your feet all the way to your hands (or the bench/chair), engaging your abs to pull them in.  Continue the "climbing" for 1 minute.

Superman Lifts + Hold - lie down on your stomach, arms extended overhead and legs out straight.  Simultaneously lift your legs and feet off the floor for 10 slow lifts, then hold the extended position for 10 seconds.  Alternate 10 lifts/10-sec. hold for 1 minute.

Side Plank Knee-to-Elbow Crunches - start in a side plank position (either high on your hand, or low on your forearm), other hand behind your head.  From here, while holding the plank position, "crunch" to the side to bring your elbow and top knee up to meet each other.  Continue the crunches for 30 seconds each side.

Slow Bicycles + Pulse - lie down on your back, hands behind head.  Alternate bringing your opposite elbow to opposite knee slowly, keeping your feet hovering over the floor.  Do 10 seconds of slow bicycles, then pulse to one side for 10 pulses.  Go back to 10 more seconds of slow bicycles, then 10 pulses on the other side.  Keep alternating for 1 minute.

Remember, if you want a more intense workout, feel free to go through these exercises a few more times!  Your abs will thank you!

Readers: chat with me!  What are your favorite quick ab exercises when you're short on time? What about other quick workouts - do you try to fit them in when you can?  How has your week been going?