8 Weighted Core Workouts for Chiseled Abs
Core workouts are hard enough, but when you add weights into the mix — prepare for an amazing burn. If you want to level up the challenge of your core workouts, supercharge your core strength, and amp up the sweater factor, add weights to your next core circuit to start seeing results faster.
Benefits of Weighted Core Workouts
Make traditional core exercises more challenging and effective
Build deep core strength and endurance
Builds core stability and balance
What Kind of Weights Can You Use in Core Workouts?
A traditional dumbbell works fine for most exercises, but you might find that a kettlebell is more comfortable for certain exercises. If you don’t have weights at home, try using a full water bottle, yoga block, or heavy book as an equipment alternative to add some extra oomph to your moves. You can also use a resistance band around a heavy dumbbell to mimic common cable exercises.
Core Exercises You Can Do With Weights
This list is not exhaustive, but you can use it as a starting point for thinking about how you want to incorporate weights in your current core routine.
Russian Twists
Dumbbell Pull-Throughs
Weighted Toe Touches
Farmer’s Carry
Weighted Leg Lowers
Hollow Body Holds
Wood Chops
Weighted Bird Dog
Overhead Standing Marches
Side Plank
Sit-Ups
Renegade Rows
Weighted V-Ups
Try This 10-Minute Weighted Core Circuit
This weighted ab workout from Alo Moves fitness trainer Mat Forzaglia can be done in less than 10 minutes and will blast your whole core using only two weights.
Weighted Arm Lowers
Lie down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the mat. Hold one weight with both of your hands.
Lift your weight up to align over your chest and lift your shoulder blades off the mat.
Keep the position with your body as you lower the weights behind your head without letting your shoulder blades hit the ground. Repeat for 30 seconds.
Bear Crawl Pull-Throughs
Come to hands and knees with one weight off to the side next to one hand.
Lift your knees an inch off the ground and engage your core, glutes, and thighs.
Use the hand farthest from the weights to pull the weight to the opposite hand. Repeat and switch sides for 30 seconds. Keep your hips steady with no hip rotation.
Sit-Up to Overhead Press
Lie on your back with your knees slightly bent and heels resting on the ground. Hold one dumbbell into your chest.
Lift up to an upright seated position with dumbbells straight overhead.
With control, lower back to start. Repeat for 30 seconds.
Rest for one minute, then repeat the circuit once more.
Core Workouts With Weights You Can Do at Home
Prefer to follow a class? Try these weighted core workouts on Alo Moves with a free trial to practice with our certified fitness instructors. You’ll find a mix of weighted core strength workouts, barre workouts, and targeted ab area workouts.
Quick Core Burn
2. Abs With Weights
3. Weighted Ab Work
4. 5-Minute Upper & Lower Abs
5. All Out Obliques
6. 10-Minute Abs With Weights
7. 10-Minute Dumbbell Core Crush
8. Absolute Abs
Try these cardio workouts at home for free and unlock thousands of other classes with a free trial of Alo Moves.