Raise the Bar: Try These Barbell Moves for Abs

When you think about ab training, you likely don’t think about using a barbell. Stability ball, sure. Balance trainer, yes. Kettlebells, core bands and dumbbells, almost certainly. But the barbell isn’t the first piece of ab sculpting gear to pop to mind  — but it should be.

Since their invention in what most believe to be the mid-19th century, barbells are one of the most effective pieces of workout equipment. They allow you to lift heavy loads, safely, while also facilitating dramatic increases and decreases in weight, as your abilities dictate. So, with the addition of a few weights, the same barbell that you used to overhead shoulder press can be used for a heavy barbell squat. And, as you get fitter and can lift more, you don’t have to buy another barbell: you can just add more plates.

The integrity and versatility of the barbell is one of the reasons it is one of the best pieces of equipment for ab moves. It’s easy to keeping loading up to keep the good gains coming  — and you can do it safely.

If you’ve got your hands on our brand new Sculpt Bar  — or any barbell  — and are wondering how to best use it to carve your core, read on. Here are our favourite barbell exercises for abs.

Psst: if you don’t have our Sculpt Bar, now’s the best time to get it! Use promocode RAISETHEBAR and score $40 off this next-level barbell and 35lb plates set!

Reverse Lunge Rotations

Tips: Keep your torso tall and your abs engaged. Twist with your trunk: do not twist your lower body. This move works your abs, but also builds serious lean muscle in your lower body, which will help you burn fat from all over your body.

Weighted Side Crunch

Tips: Pull your belly button into your spine to engage your core. Stand straight and roll your shoulders back, maintaining good posture. Focus on squeezing your obliques as you come to center.

Bridge Thrust

Tips: Keep your shoulders relaxed and core engaged. Keep the work in your abs: don’t pivot with your hips or lower body.

Chest Press with Bike Abs

Tips: Adding the chest press to this move forces you to control and stabilizing more of those upper abs while the leg extension will slam your lower abdominals. Be sure to tuck your belly button into your spine and try to keep your lower back in contact with the floor.

Like what you see? Then try it yourself! These barbell ab exercises can be combined into a HIIT circuit for max results. Do the circuit 3-4 times through, with 50 seconds work and 10 seconds rest.