Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Prime Day Deals Switch 2 Restock Galaxy Z Fold 7 Wordle Today Best Mattress Best laptops Recommended reading No, not sit-ups — I tried this 10-minute standing dumbbell ab workout and it torched my core Forget sit-ups — use this 10-minute standing abs workout to build a strong core Forget sit-ups — it only takes 15 minutes and 1 dumbbell to build a strong core Forget sit-ups — build a stronger core and improve your posture with this 15-minute standing abs workout You’ll never do sit-ups again — after strengthening your abs and hips with this 8-move dumbbell workout I'm a personal trainer — this 5-move abs workout strengthens your core and hips using dumbbells No sit-ups or crunches — use this 10-minute standing ab workout instead to sculpt a stronger core Forget sit-ups — sculpt your abs in 10 minutes with this standing dumbbell workout Nick Harris-Fry 18 June 2025 Blast your abs without hitting the floor When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Sit-ups, planks and crunches are all core workout staples and for good reason — they’re all effective moves that are accessible to most people. However, they are far from the only exercises you can use to strengthen your core. If you’d prefer to stay standing for your workout, you can still get a great abs session done in just 10 minutes. This standing abs workout from fitness trainer Heather Robertson is great for your whole core, and all you need to do it is a set of light dumbbells and 10 spare minutes. You may like No, not sit-ups — I tried this 10-minute standing dumbbell ab workout and it torched my core Forget sit-ups — use this 10-minute standing abs workout to build a strong core Forget sit-ups — it only takes 15 minutes and 1 dumbbell to build a strong core Robertson suggests using weights in the 3-10lb range, or if you have a set of the best adjustable dumbbells, you can pick and choose the weight to suit each move. Watch Heather Robertson’s 10-minute standing abs workout 10MIN Standing Abs Workout with Weights - YouTube The workout involves two circuits of six moves, working for 40 seconds on each exercise and resting for 10 seconds between them. Robertson does each move with you, so ensure you can see your screen to follow her technique and maintain her rhythm with each move, which is fast but controlled. Throughout the workout, focus on keeping your core engaged as much as possible to maximize time under tension and ensure that your movements are mostly powered by your abs and obliques for the biggest benefit to your core strength. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You’ll be doing a mix of moves to engage the upper, lower and side abs, like standing crunches and twists, along with punches and reaches while holding dumbbells. Maintaining your balance when moving the weights away from you is also a good test for your core and will improve your stability by training the deep core muscles. It’s important not to go too heavy with your weights because if they become unmanageable when reaching out, your arms and shoulders will start to pick up more of the work as you lose your balance and give up your core engagement. You can do this workout as a standalone session if you’re short on time, or add it onto the end of a longer full-body workout as a finisher. This 15-minute standing dumbbell workout is a great option to work your whole body before using this core-focused session to really fire up your abs afterwards. The workout is suitable for all fitness levels and easily modifiable if you’re finding it too tough. You can do shorter work periods and take longer breaks, lower the weight you’re using, or just do the exercises as bodyweight moves without a dumbbell at all. To increase the difficulty once you’ve got used to the exercises, you can increase the weight or work faster, as long as you’re still moving with control. As with any type of training, you’ll need to use the principles of progressive overload to keep improving as you get fitter to avoid hitting a plateau. More from Tom's Guide Best HIIT workouts for beginners you can do at home with or without weights Skip the gym — build full body strength at home with 1 dumbbell and 5 moves 5 most effective kettlebell exercises personal trainers use themselves — and how they build strength and muscle Round up of today's best deals NordicTrack Select-A-Weight Dumbbell Set See all prices Bowflex SelectTech 552i $649.99View See all prices Amazon Basics Adjustable Barbell $42.52View See all prices Ativafit Adjustable Dumbbells $399.99View See all prices Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell $189.99View See all prices CORE Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell $399.99View See all prices Tespon Adjustable Dumbbells 66lbs $289.52View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Nick Harris-Fry Social Links Navigation Senior Writer Nick Harris-Fry is an experienced health and fitness journalist, writing professionally since 2012. He spent nine years working on the Coach magazine and website before moving to the fitness team at Tom’s Guide in 2024. Nick is a keen runner and also the founder of YouTube channel The Run Testers, which specialises in reviewing running shoes, watches, headphones and other gear. Nick ran his first marathon in 2016 after six weeks of training for a magazine feature and subsequently became obsessed with the sport. He now has PBs of 2hr 27min for the marathon and 15min 30sec for 5K, and has run 13 marathons in total, as well as a 50-mile ultramarathon. Nick is also a qualified Run Leader in the UK. Nick is an established expert in the health and fitness area and along with writing for many publications, including Live Science, Expert Reviews, Wareable, Coach and Get Sweat Go, he has been quoted on The Guardian and The Independent. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. No, not sit-ups — I tried this 10-minute standing dumbbell ab workout and it torched my core Forget sit-ups — use this 10-minute standing abs workout to build a strong core Forget sit-ups — it only takes 15 minutes and 1 dumbbell to build a strong core Forget sit-ups — build a stronger core and improve your posture with this 15-minute standing abs workout You’ll never do sit-ups again — after strengthening your abs and hips with this 8-move dumbbell workout I'm a personal trainer — this 5-move abs workout strengthens your core and hips using dumbbells Latest in Fitness I ditched music during my workout and exercised in silence — here's what happened to my performance Think you're tough? Arnold Schwarzenegger has 4 fitness tests that might just predict your ‘expiration date’ New study shows you can exercise less and see better results — here’s exactly how I stink at golf — but I use these 3 products every round to look like I'm good Run, don’t walk! 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