Build core strength in just five minutes and no equipment with this ab workout

Your core plays a vital role in your body, improving your posture, aiding stability, and promoting blood flow. Fortunately, you don't need an extended gym workout to build core strength, just this five-minute, no-equipment ab workout.

While you need weights like the best adjustable dumbbells for some of the best abs workouts, this routine is designed to help you strengthen your mid-body without weights. And at just five minutes, it's an excellent option when you're short on time or traveling.

There are 10 ab and core-focused exercises to fit into fitness YouTubers Tiff x Dan's 15-minute routine. You'll do each for 30 seconds without taking a break between moves, so expect to feel the muscles around your abs start to burn.

It's this intensity that helps you get results in so little time and without equipment. But your technique is just as crucial if you want to get the most from your training and avoid injury, especially since it's easy to lean into your back accidentally.

So, follow along with Dan's demonstrations to get your form just right. As most of the exercises are based on the floor, rolling out one of the best yoga mats can make the workout a bit more comfortable, and the grippy surface makes it easier to keep your posture fixed.

Watch Tiff x Dan's five-minute ab workout

Even though they're different areas of muscle, you'll often find people interchangeably using the terms abs and core. Your rectus abdominis, commonly known as the six-pack ab muscle, forms part of your core, a collection of mid-body muscle.

Core strengthening exercises help improve your posture, aid stability, and promote circulation. As it's a collection of muscles, encouraging these different muscles to work together and bridge the gap between your upper and lower body also improves workout performance.

Aside from playing a role in your core, many people train their abs to build visible muscle, like a six-pack. However, making your six-pack visible often means lowering the amount of fat around your stomach.

You can't spot target fat in certain areas, so it's best to find sustainable ways to drop pounds, like using a high-intensity HIIT workout for fat loss. This style of exercise keeps your heart rate high, which helps boost your metabolism for fat-burning results throughout the day.

You can add some of the best protein powders for weight loss into your diet if you want to help things along. These high-protein supplements help your muscles recover and make you feel fuller for longer.