The 8-Minute Abs Workout You Can Use To Round Out Any Session

Three people doing sit-ups during their workout in the gym

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Right off the bat we should say this is not that eight-minute abs workout from the 1990s, featuring US trainer Jaime Brenkus. This is a spicy abs finisher created exclusively for Coach by Saman Munir, trainer at EvolveYou, which is a workout app for women. It’s not intended to be a short daily session – it’s a smart way to end a cardio workout or weights workout.

“A finisher is an advanced workout technique that involves quick, intense bursts of cardio and/or strength exercises performed at the end of your regular workout. It will make sure that you’ve completely emptied the tank,” says Munir.

The workout finisher below is made up of four bodyweight exercises. Work for 40 seconds, then take a 20-second breather before going onto the next move.

Complete two rounds of this circuit in total.

8-Minute Abs Workout

1 In and out

Man exercising on steps — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Time 40sec Rest 20sec

Sit with your feet off the floor, back straight and knees close to your chest. Extend your legs away from you and lower your torso, keeping your back straight. Before your feet or torso touch the floor, use your core muscles to drive your knees back to your chest, then slowly straighten your body out again.

2 Sit-up to rotation

Young woman doing sit-ups on exercise mat at gym — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Time 40sec Rest 20sec

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, your hands by your head with your elbows pointing to the sides. Using your core, raise your torso and as you do so, lift your right knee and rotate your torso so the left elbow moves to meet it. Return to the start and repeat on the other side. Alternate sides with each rep.

3 Walking plank

Man practicing walking plank on exercise mat in public park — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Time 40sec Rest 20sec

Start in a high plank position, holding your body in a straight line from shoulders to heels, supporting yourself on your hands and toes, with your hands directly underneath your shoulders. With your core engaged, lower onto one forearm, then the other, then push back up to your hands one side at a time. Keep your body as straight as possible throughout.

4 Mountain climber

Woman performing the mountain climber exercise — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Time 40sec Rest 20sec

Start in a high plank position. Bring your left knee to your right elbow, return to the start, and then repeat with the right knee to the left elbow. Keep alternating sides at pace, engaging the core and ensuring your hands stay directly underneath your shoulders when on the floor.

Lucy is an experienced health and fitness journalist, and was formerly health editor for TI Media’s portfolio of women’s titles. Lucy qualified as a level 3 personal trainer with Train Fitness in 2016, and also holds qualifications in pre- and post-natal fitness, as well as in nutrition for exercise.