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No floor, no crunches — sculpt your core in 10 minutes with this trainer’s standing abs workout

AnyFans 2025-10-09

By Jessica Downey

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No floor, no crunches — sculpt your core in 10 minutes with this trainer’s standing abs workout

Jessica Downey

23 September 2025

Thanks to this trainer, you can train your core off the floor

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

1. Standing marches

What are the benefits of this routine?

Classic ab exercises like sit-ups and crunches are effective for building a stronger core, but if you’re bored of them or dislike like the strain floor exercises can put on your back, standing ab workouts might be more your style.

You don’t have to search far to find this kind of training, but if you want to make sure the advice is coming from a reliable source, stick around. I spoke to Sarah DiGiovanni, a certified trainer from the ALO Wellness Club, about how to strengthen your core and build definition without getting on the floor.
She shared a simple five-move, all-standing circuit that only requires dumbbells. If you’re new to working with weights, aim for dumbbells between five and eight pounds for this routine. If you have experience training your core with weights, you could try anything 10 to 15 pounds. Just keep in mind that heavier is not always better if it means sacrificing form.

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No, Not Planks — Personal Trainer Reveals 5 Essential Standing Ab Moves

Ditch sit-ups! This 10-minute dumbbell workout builds a rock-solid core and perfects your posture

No, not sit-ups! This 12-minute standing ab workout blasts your core without putting pressure on your spine

If you like having the option to move up and down in weight as you train, take a look at our guide to the best adjustable dumbbells.

Sarah DiGiovanniFitness Instructor at ALO Wellness Club

Sarah DiGiovanni, a trainer at the ALO Wellness Club in New York, has more than seven years of experience blending functional strength training, boxing, and mat Pilates. She focuses on building strength, improving mobility, and enhancing overall performance, while keeping every session engaging and accessible for all fitness levels.
1. Standing marches

2. Standing woodchops

3. Standing twists

4. Standing cross body crunches

5. Standing halos

What are the benefits of this routine?
Standing ab workouts hit your core differently. Instead of lying or planking on the floor, you are upright, which means your abs are working nonstop to keep you balanced while your arms and legs move. Once you add dumbbells, the challenge doubles. Your core has to control the weight, stop it from pulling you off balance, and still drive the power you need to finish each rep.
DiGiovanni explained it best: “Core strength is one of the most important foundations for overall health and physical performance. A strong core supports proper posture and spinal alignment, which helps reduce strain on the body and minimizes the risk of injury.”
In short, a strong core is less about how ripped your abs look and more about moving through life with genuine strength and with greater ease.

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Jessica Downey

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Senior Fitness Writer

Jessica has been a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide since 2023, bringing three years of experience writing about health, fitness, and the great outdoors. Her passion for exercise began during her childhood, where she spent weekends hiking and competing in local athletics club events. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Jessica found the perfect way to combine her love of storytelling and fitness into a career.
Jessica is passionate about testing fitness gear and tech, using her reviews to help readers make informed buying decisions. She ran her first marathon in April 2024, finishing it in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Through her training, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow as a runner, from effective workouts and recovery techniques to selecting the right gear for every challenge.
When she’s not at her desk, Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen crafting new recipes, braving cold water swims and hiking.

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