40 Minute Abdominal Workout

Posted March 16, 2010 in HIRT Routines 3 Comments »

This is a 40 minute abdominal circuit. I also refer to this type of workout as a HIRT routine.

Warm-Up

5 minutes of non-stop kickboxing combinations, jump rope, or calisthenics

Circuit 1

Try to perform this abdominal circuit at least four times in a 5 minute time period without resting between exercises or sets. You should attempt to complete the required reps for each set before moving onto the next exercise. When you finish the last exercise, start at the top again until your time is up.

Once the first 5-minute circuit is up, rest for 2 minutes, then repeat this circuit again.

Gauge your progress by counting the number of circuits you can complete in 5 minutes.

  1. Windshield wipers (or Russian twist holding a medicine ball if you can’t handle it) – 10 wipes or twists
  2. Sit-ups with medicine ball on chest – 20 sit ups
  3. Flutter kicks – 40 total kicks

Circuit 2

Try to perform this abdominal circuit at least four times in a 5 minute time period without resting between exercises or sets. You should attempt to complete the required reps for each set before moving onto the next exercise. When you finish the last exercise, start at the top again until your time is up.

Once the first 5 minute circuit is up, rest for 2 minutes, then repeat this circuit again.

Gauge your progress by counting the number of circuits you can complete in 5 minutes.

  1. Crunches with punches: throw a punch past your opposite knee with each crunch – 30 crunches
  2. The Captain’s Chair (vertical leg raise) – 10 leg raises
  3. Ab wheel roll outs to the left, straight, right, repeat – 15 roll outs (5 at each angle)

Cool Down

5 minutes of non-stop kickboxing combinations, jump rope, or calisthenics

Stretch for at least 5 minutes.

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3 Responses to “40 Minute Abdominal Workout”

  1. Hi there,

    Just wanted to say that I really do enjoy your site!
    Thank you for making available the wealth of information you have
    without charging anything! 🙂

    Most site’s people want some sort of payment…and it really doesn’t
    look worth my while…!

    Going to adjust my 2 high intensity cardio days to begin with
    this ab workout.
    Normally I do only 20 minutes high intensity stationary cycling.

    Thanks again!

  2. I have a what is probably a silly question but…

    for the above article – the 40 minute Ab Routine (which I did with a friend today and it was GREAT) – it is listed as a “HIRT Routine”. Is that typo – was it supposed to be HIIT? I was just curious was the “R” was for.

    Thanks.

    • This is not a HIIT routine. Actually it is a High Intensity Resistance Training (HIRT) routine. HIRT is a little-used acronym, but I use it to describe certain styles of non-maximal-weight circuit training. Read my post on HIRT.

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