{"id":643447,"date":"2026-08-18T11:25:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/643447\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T11:25:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:25:19","slug":"louise-redknapps-coach-says-you-dont-need-sit-ups-to-build-abs-do-these-6-exercises-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/643447\/","title":{"rendered":"Louise Redknapp\u2019s coach says you don\u2019t need sit-ups to build abs \u2013 do these 6 exercises instead"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"body-dropcap css-1ap6483 emevuu60\">Louise Redknapp recently started following Women\u2019s Health cover star and midlife fitness coach Caroline Idiens&#8217; strength workouts. The star took to Instagram Stories to share that she was new to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a706202\/strength-training-for-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a706202\/strength-training-for-beginners\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"strength training\" data-node-id=\"3.3\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">strength training<\/a> and that Idiens&#8217; workouts \u2013 never more than 30 minutes and designed to do at home with minimal equipment \u2013 had been helping her to stay motivated.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"8\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">&#8216;So I\u2019ve just done my first Caroline\u2019s Circuits 20-minute full-body workout,&#8217; Redknapp said. &#8216;It was good, I mean it was hard but it was only 20 minutes so I felt like I could actually just keep going, and now I\u2019m doing my hour\u2019s walk!&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><video playsinline=\"\" style=\"height:100%;width:100%;\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg xmlns=&quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&quot; width=&quot;24&quot; height=&quot;24&quot; fill=&quot;%23ffffff&quot; viewBox=&quot;0 0 256 256&quot;&gt;%0A%09&lt;path d=&quot;M240,128a15.74,15.74,0,0,1-7.6,13.51L88.32,229.65a16,16,0,0,1-16.2.3A15.86,15.86,0,0,1,64,216.13V39.87a15.86,15.86,0,0,1,8.12-13.82,16,16,0,0,1,16.2.3L232.4,114.49A15.74,15.74,0,0,1,240,128Z&quot;&gt;%0A&lt;\/path&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" alt=\"Play video\"\/><img alt=\"Video poster\" title=\"Video poster\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/thumb_356x634.0000001.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Each of Idiens&#8217; full-body workouts is designed to target every body part, and she recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Db2SyJ_MtfX\/?hl=en-gb\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Db2SyJ_MtfX\/?hl=en-gb\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"shared\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">shared<\/a> that building a strong core doesn\u2019t have to mean endless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/a39120560\/ab-workouts\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/a39120560\/ab-workouts\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"crunches\" data-node-id=\"13.3\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">crunches<\/a> \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a71120184\/standing-core-exercises\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a71120184\/standing-core-exercises\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"standing exercises\" data-node-id=\"13.5\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">standing exercises<\/a> can work just as well. \u2018Not all core exercises involve sit-ups or crunches,\u2019 she wrote on Instagram. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Don&#8217;t just take her word for it: a 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1360859224000238\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1360859224000238\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"study\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">study<\/a> found that standing produced the highest abdominal-muscle activity compared with sitting, side lying, and lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"23\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Inspired? \u2018Incorporate some of these into your next full-body workout,\u2019 says Idiens, as she shared her top 6 standing core exercises. Scroll down for demos, along with our instructions and form tips. <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"louise redknapp\" title=\"louise redknapp\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1188\" height=\"1186\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c7db0041-deec-4af1-a13f-1687490798e5.png\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Instagram<\/p>\n<p>S<strong data-node-id=\"26.1\">tanding dumbbell torso rotation<\/strong><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052314_628_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"28\" class=\"css-12c7ta7 emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"28.0\">Stand with feet wide, hold a dumbbell out at shoulder height in front of you with straight arms. Rotate your torso from side to side, keeping your hips facing forwards. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"29.0\">Standing dumbbell marches<\/strong><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052315_344_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-12c7ta7 emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"31.0\">Stand tall holding a dumbbell overhead in both hands. Alternate lifting each knee towards your chest, keeping your core engaged and avoiding flaring your rib cage. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"32.0\">Standing crossbody dumbbell crunch<\/strong><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052316_129_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"34\" class=\"css-12c7ta7 emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"34.0\">Hold a dumbbell overhead with one hand. Lift the opposite knee while bringing the dumbbell diagonally towards it and squeezing your abs as you do so. Complete all reps, then switch sides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"35.0\">Standing dumbbell oblique crunch<\/strong><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052316_951_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"37\" class=\"css-12c7ta7 emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"37.0\">Hold a dumbbell in one hand by your side with fingertips of your other hand at your temple. Bend your torso down towards the dumbbell, squeezing your obliques and keeping your hips and torso facing forwards, then return to standing. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong data-node-id=\"38.0\">Half-lunge dumbbell <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a68882608\/wood-chop-exercise\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a68882608\/wood-chop-exercise\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"wood chop\" data-node-id=\"38.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">wood chop<\/a><\/strong><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052317_677_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"40\" class=\"css-12c7ta7 emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"40.0\">Start in a half-lunge with your back knee hovering off the floor, holding a dumbbell diagonally overhead towards one side, in both hands. Slowly bring it diagonally across your body towards the opposite hip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Standing dumbbell twist <img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052317_809_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<ul data-node-id=\"43\" class=\"css-12c7ta7 emevuu60\">\n<li data-node-id=\"43.0\">Stand with feet wide, holding a dumbbell with bent arms in front of your torso. Rotate your torso from side to side, keeping your hips facing forwards and moving the dumbbell with your torso. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"49\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"49.0\">One of our most frequently asked questions here at <\/strong><strong data-node-id=\"49.1.0\">Women\u2019s Health<\/strong><strong data-node-id=\"49.2\">? How to build muscle and burn fat at the same time. So, we asked superstar trainer <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/oyinda_fitness\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/oyinda_fitness\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Oyinda Okunowo\" data-node-id=\"49.3\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong data-node-id=\"49.3.0\">Oyinda Okunowo<\/strong><\/a><strong data-node-id=\"49.4\"> exactly how to do it. In this 4-week plan \u2013 created exclusively for <\/strong><strong data-node-id=\"49.5.0\">Women\u2019s Health<\/strong><strong data-node-id=\"49.6\"> COLLECTIVE members \u2013 you\u2019ll get the workouts and nutrition guidance needed to help you on your way to better body composition. Tap the link below to unlock 14 days of free access to Oyinda&#8217;s plan and start training today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"53\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\"><strong data-node-id=\"53.0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/link.womenshealthmag.co.uk\/join\/signup-womens-health-2026-summer-titlesite\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/link.womenshealthmag.co.uk\/join\/signup-womens-health-2026-summer-titlesite\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Get the plan\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-node-id=\"53.0.0\" data-href=\"https:\/\/link.womenshealthmag.co.uk\/join\/signup-womens-health-2026-summer-titlesite\" class=\"body-btn-link css-c29gpt emevuu60\" data- target=\"_blank\">Get the plan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"women's health magazine cover with fitness content about body composition.\" title=\"women's health magazine cover with fitness content about body composition.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4492\" height=\"5987\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/da0ee2ae-de9b-4a9f-b2a2-d4fb6629cee3.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787052319_672_3c8d88e6-1a98-41e9-804d-2de8b0b9d75a_1741783208.file.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Bridie Wilkins\" title=\"Headshot of Bridie Wilkins\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As Women\u2019s Health UK\u2019s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism.<\/p>\n<p>After earning a first-class degree in journalism and NCTJ accreditation, she secured her first role at Look Magazine, where she launched the magazine\u2019s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!<\/p>\n<p>Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner\u2019s World and Red. Today, she oversees all fitness content across <a href=\"http:\/\/womenshealthmag.com.uk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"http:\/\/womenshealthmag.com.uk\/\">Women&#8217;s Health online and in <\/a>print, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as \u2018Fit At Any Age\u2019, which showcases the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise.<\/p>\n<p>She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks \u2013 all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how. Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Louise Redknapp recently started following Women\u2019s Health cover star and midlife fitness coach Caroline Idiens&#8217; strength workouts. The&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":643448,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[278],"tags":[152422,150932,150511,2320,272185,343,18,525,135,19,17,201411,342,272184,240005,152508],"class_list":["post-643447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fitness","tag-collection-celebrity-workouts","tag-collection-fit-at-any-age","tag-collection-fitness-app","tag-content-type-default","tag-contentid-d9057190-3451-4fa8-a1d7-d34b191c940e","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-eire","tag-fitness","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-louise-redknapps-pts-6-standing-ab-exercises","tag-sponsored-false","tag-subsection-strength-training"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/117116268227763525","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/643447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=643447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/643447\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/643448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=643447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=643447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=643447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}