Forget planks — this dumbbell abs workout builds core strength in just 8 moves

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Push-ups, crunches, and sit-ups are staple ab workouts, but cranking out endless repetitions can get boring fast. Fortunately, you can shake up your mid-body routine with this 8-move dumbbell workout to strengthen your abs, build core muscle, and improve your posture.

All you need to get started is a set of the best adjustable dumbbells. These customizable weights combine several dumbbells, so you can quickly switch loads between exercises or gradually as you get stronger. Plus, they’re a space-saving alternative to a full rack for home workouts.

This core-strengthening routine was developed by personal trainer Bradley Simmonds and makes good use of your dumbbells to add variety to your sessions. There are a few sit-up and crunch variations, but they sit nicely alongside dumbbell drag-throughs and renegade rows.

Watch Bradley Simmonds’ 8-move abs workout

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These weighted abs exercises target your mid-section and work your core, a collection of muscles that include your rectus abdominis six-pack abs muscle to connect your upper and lower body. So while people use abs and core interchangeably, targeting your core means working more than just your abdominal muscles.

That’s why Simmonds includes several exercises like dumbbell drag-throughs, renegade rows, and rollouts to challenge muscles all over your core. And for good reason — strengthening your core helps increase your balance, improve your posture, and boost your overall workout performance.

However, if you’re hoping to build visible abs, it’ll take more than just these 8 exercises. You’ll also need to focus on reducing the amount of fat around your stomach, but since you can’t spot-target fat in certain areas, that means looking for ways to increase the amount of energy you burn throughout the day.

One of the most efficient ways to boost your metabolism and burn fat is to use high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. These are designed to get you to exercise intensely with minimal rest, raise your heart rate, and work your whole body. If you’re not sure where to start, the best beginner HIIT workouts are a great introduction.

You may have also heard trainers say that abs are made in the kitchen. Exercise plays a vital role, but so does sticking to a healthy diet with plenty of protein. However, if you’re combining intense core workouts with good food, there are other reasons you might not be seeing your abs yet too.

However, Simmonds’ routine is an advanced session, so if you’re new to training your midsection, you should focus on staples like learning how to do a plank, progress to these plank variations, and then add weights into the mix. This way, you can practice good form before increasing the intensity.

Why don't people enjoy planks?

Speaking from personal experience, I don't think people don't enjoy them — but there's a point at which they become boring. Getting into position, either on your hands or forearms, and staring at the floor for 30-60 seconds isn't that interesting.

And as Simmonds' routine shows, there are more varied, dynamic ways to work these muscles to give your workouts some variety. Should you skip planks altogether? Probably not, but having options keeps you on your toes (so to speak).

As for me, I generally hold a plank for up to 30 seconds when it's in my workout plan. Outside of that, the only time I do a plank is when I want to try another round of the Bring Sally Up challenge.

For this, you press play on Moby's track Flower and start in a plank position. When the lyric "bring Sally down" comes up, you lower to a push-up position. When the song says "bring Sally up" you push-up. For the times in between, you hold either a high plank or the lowered part of the push-up.

It's intense, but that's why I don't do it all that often. But if you're looking to see how your endurance changes over time, it's worth doing regularly (maybe every month or so) and keeping track of how long you last.

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James is Tom's Guide's Buying Guide Editor, overseeing the site's buying advice. He was previously Fitness Editor, covering strength training workouts, cardio exercise, and accessible ways to improve your health and wellbeing.His first job at as a sales assistant in a department store, and this is where James learned how important it is to help people make purchasing decisions that are right for their needs, whether that's a fountain pen to give as a gift or a new fridge for their kitchen.

This skill stayed with him as he developed a career in journalism as a freelance technology writer and, later, as Buying Guide Editor for MakeUseOf, where his interest in fitness combined with his commitment to impartial buying advice.

This is how he came to join Fit&Well as Fitness Editor, covering beginner-friendly exercise routines, affordable ways to boost your wellbeing, and reviewed weights, rowing machines, and workout headphones.

James is an advocate for sustainability and reparability, and focuses his reviews and advice through that lens to offer objective insights as to whether a specific product or service will be right for your needs.