4-Week Standing Core Program

Standing Abs & Core

Core training on your feet: rotation, anti-rotation, posture and balance.

Schedule
3 days a week · 4-week cycle
Session
About 36–41 min
Equipment
None (dumbbell optional)
Week 4
Lighter week + Test Day
A frame from the Standing Abs & Core Day 1 video: Coach Cole demonstrates a move beside the timer, target and form cues

Who it's for

For anyone who would rather not spend a workout on the floor: standing chops, crunches, press-outs and balance work, with an optional short floor finisher.

Circuits: 4 rounds of 40 s work / 20 s rest, 60 s between rounds, then an optional floor finisher (dead bug, bird dog, plank).

 Equipment

  • No equipment required
  • Optional: one light dumbbell (a water bottle works for press-outs)
  • A wall or sturdy chair for balance moves
  • Mat for the optional floor finisher

Weekly schedule

Three sessions a week with a rest day in between. The days below are the suggested layout; any three non-consecutive days work.

MonDay 1
TueRest
WedDay 2
ThuRest
FriDay 3
SatRest
SunRest

The 4-week cycle

  1. Week 1

    Learn the patterns: slow, braced reps. Use the easier option or a wall for balance whenever you need it. No weights needed yet.

  2. Week 2

    Same three videos, a few more reps and longer holds. Add a light dumbbell to chops, side bends or press-outs only if Week 1 felt easy.

  3. Week 3

    Peak week: hit the Week 3 targets and try the harder option on any move where Week 2 felt easy.

  4. Week 4

    Day 1 and Day 2 at your Week 1 targets (easy on purpose), then the Test Day video on Friday.

Floor finisher (optional)

A short block of dead bugs, bird dogs and a forearm plank at the end of each session.

What's inside

Every video starts with a warm-up (march in place, arm circles, side step-touch, heel dig, hip hinge, bodyweight squat) and ends with a cool-down (standing quad stretch, half-kneeling hip flexor stretch, standing forward fold, chest opener, child's pose). Tap any move for its full form guide.

How to progress

Count your reps (or hold time) in each 40 s interval. Hit the target in every round with clean form? You’re on track; if it felt easy, use the harder option or add a light dumbbell. Always do the same reps on both sides, starting with your weaker side.

Week 4: Test Day

Test Day: a knee-up balance hold on each leg (cap 1:00), max cross-body crunches in 60 s, and max wood chops in 60 s on each side.

Balance Test

  • Knee up to hip height
  • Clock stops when the foot touches down
  • Note your time on screen

Cross-Crunch Test

  • Max good reps in 60 seconds
  • Knee must reach the opposite elbow
  • Count every rep, both sides

Wood Chop Test

  • Max good chops in 60 seconds
  • Full range, high to low
  • Same version every test

After Week 4, start the next cycle back at Week 1 on the same videos, using the harder option for any move where you hit every target with clean form.

The videos

4 follow-along videos make up the full program. Durations include the warm-up and cool-down.

  • 01Day 1 · Weeks 1–441:13
  • 02Day 2 · Weeks 1–441:13
  • 03Day 3 · Weeks 1–341:13
  • 04Week 4 Test Day36:05

Watch them on YouTube at @CoreboundFitness.

 Safety

Stop immediately with sharp or joint pain, back pain that radiates, numbness or tingling, chest pain or dizziness. Do the balance moves next to a wall or sturdy chair on a non-slip floor. Twist from the upper back and hips, never by forcing the lower back; keep your ribs down and breathe out on the effort. Add a dumbbell only when the bodyweight version feels easy, and start light.

If you have an injury or medical condition, are pregnant, or have been inactive for a long time, check with your doctor before starting. This program is general education, not medical advice. See the disclaimer.

YouTube · @CoreboundFitness

Train with Corebound on YouTube

Every Corebound program is a set of follow-along videos: press play, follow Coach Cole and the timer, and you're done. Subscribe at @CoreboundFitness so the next session is always one tap away.