No sit-ups or crunches — this 10-minute dumbbell workout strengthens deep core muscles and improves your posture – 1v1 Video Chat & LIve Streaming & Influencer Subscription

By Jessica Downey

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Forget sit-ups — build a stronger core and improve your posture with this 15-minute standing abs workout

Forget sit-ups — use this 10-minute standing abs workout to build a strong core

No sit-ups or crunches — this 10-minute dumbbell workout strengthens deep core muscles and improves your posture

Jessica Downey

3 July 2025

No floor time. This is an all-standing ab-busting workout!

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(Image credit: Getty/Cavan Images)

Watch Heather Robertson’s 10-Minute Standing Dumbbell Workout

While sit-ups and crunches might be seen as the cornerstone of ab and core workouts, they’re far from the only moves that get results. Plenty of other exercises take you off the mat and onto your feet. These can be just as effective, if not more so, at targeting your deep core muscles and helping to tone your midsection.

If you’re keen to try something different, online trainer Heather Robertson has a great option: an all-standing core-strengthening dumbbell workout that takes just ten minutes. You don’t need a mat since there are no crunches or sit-ups here, but you will want a pair of dumbbells to increase the intensity.
You don’t have to lift super heavy. The added weight gives your muscles some extra resistance to work against and keeps things varied, so you hit different parts of your core. A regular pair of dumbbells is perfect, as long as you can handle that weight comfortably for the whole session.

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If you prefer more flexibility with weight, it’s worth looking at some of the best adjustable dumbbells. These let you switch between different weights easily without having to grab multiple sets, saving time and keeping your workout flowing.

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Save over 50% off on the UPGO 5-in-1 Adjustable Dumbbell Set that lets you switch between 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 lbs with a simple twist.

Watch Heather Robertson’s 10-Minute Standing Dumbbell Workout

10MIN Standing Abs Workout with Weights – YouTube

The workout takes a circuit format, which involves spending 40 seconds on each exercise, taking 10 seconds of rest between moves, and repeating for two rounds. Robertson demonstrates the full routine in the video above, and during the rest periods, you’ll see a preview of the next move, so you’re ready to jump in and get your form right from the start.
You can get more of a fitness class feel at home by simply putting the YouTube video on your TV and following along.
What are the benefits of this standing ab routine?
First of all, an obvious advantage of this routine is that it only takes 10 minutes. It’s a great little circuit to slot into a jam-packed day when you don’t have time for a longer workout but still want to move your body, challenge your core, and get your heart rate up. The short duration also makes it easy to add to the end of a longer session as an abs finisher.

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Another benefit of a standing abs workout is that while you are targeting your core and hitting more angles with the dumbbells, you are also working your lower back, glutes, legs and even your shoulders. Engaging more muscles like this makes the workout more functional and gives you a full-body boost compared to doing only floor-based ab exercises.
Standing up for every move also forces your core to work harder to keep you stable and balanced. Over time, this can help improve your balance and coordination in everyday life. Plus, standing core moves encourage you to keep your spine tall and your shoulders back, which builds awareness of your posture and strengthens the muscles that support it.
Finally, doing an abs circuit like this completely on your feet can lift your heart rate more than working out on the floor. You are moving bigger muscle groups and adding more dynamic movement, which helps you burn extra calories while building strength.
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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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Forget sit-ups — sculpt your abs in 10 minutes with this standing dumbbell workout

No, not sit-ups — I tried this 10-minute standing dumbbell ab workout and it torched my core

No more crunches! Build a strong, stable core with these 5 standing ab exercises

Forget crunches — this personal trainer’s 7-move dumbbell workout builds core strength and improves posture

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

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