Are you thinking about going back to the gym but want to give yourself and your abs a bit of a head-start before you start working out in public? Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, at-home workouts you can do to help get your abs gym-ready without ever setting foot in a gym.

Aside from getting you gym-ready, this intense ab workout doesn’t require any extra equipment — so you can do it wherever you like!

As with any new exercise program, don’t try to do too much at first, or you run the risk of injuring yourself. You may also want to consider consulting your doctor to ensure this routine is a good fit for you.

Leg Lifts

If you’ve been sedentary for a while, leg lifts are the best exercise to help you get moving again.

To do leg lifts, all you need to do is lay on your back and stick your feet in the air. Try to hold your legs up at a 90-degree angle or as close as you can get, and keep your legs straight the entire time. Lower your legs, one at a time, until they are parallel to but not touching the floor, then raise them back to their original position.

Do as many leg lifts as you can in 30-seconds, take a 15-second break, and repeat the entire process. Remember to move slowly — the goal is to strengthen your abs, not cram as many leg lifts as you can into 30-seconds. For best results try to do about three to five rounds of leg lifts.

Side Plank

While traditional planks are also an excellent ab workout, side planks are a bit more focused and work out more muscle groups at a time.

To start, lay on your side with your elbow under your shoulder and your forearm flat on the floor in front of you. Then raise your body onto your elbow until it forms a straight diagonal line, and raise your other arm straight above you. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then take a 15-second break and repeat. As with the leg lifts, you should try to repeat this exercise three to five times.

Once you’ve completed three to five rounds of side planks on one side, flip over and repeat the process on the other side.

Mountain Climbers

Now that you’re warmed up and ready, it’s time to up the intensity one last time. Mountain climbers combine strength training with a hint of cardio and are by far the most difficult of the exercises on this list, so proceed with caution — especially if you’re new to working out.

Start in a raised plank position with your arms fully extended and your hands planted directly below your shoulders. Then, quickly raise your right knee to your chest before extending it again and planting your toes back on the floor, and repeat with your left leg.

Repeat this process for about 30 to 60 seconds, depending on your fitness level. Take a short 15 to 30-second break in-between sets and repeat this workout for three to five rounds. Remember to keep your back flat throughout the workout and try not to push yourself too hard.

Remember, that if you want a six-pack, these tips and exercises are only the first steps. There are a lot of other factors to consider if muscle definition is your goal.

Get Gym Ready With This Intense Ab Workout

Remember that an intense ab workout is only one aspect of a healthy routine. If you want to get your body in tip-top condition, you’ll need to consider your current diet and habits — and exercise every other part of your body!

Are you ready to start living a healthier life but don’t know where to begin? We’ve got you covered! Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful tips, tricks, and advice today!