45 Minutes Beginner Abs Workout with Barbell
A 45 minutes endurance workout targeting your abs using barbell equipment. 4 exercises, 11 total sets, designed for beginner lifters.
45 Minutes
Duration
11
Total Sets
15-25 reps
Rep Range
~433
Est. Calories
The Workout
Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.
Form cues
- Start with the bar in the front rack position on your shoulders.
- Dip by bending your knees 2-3 inches — not a full squat.
- Explosively extend your legs and use that momentum to drive the bar overhead.
Hold a weight plate with hands at 9 and 3 o'clock positions, arms hanging in front of your thighs.
Form cues
- Hold a weight plate with hands at 9 and 3 o'clock positions, arms hanging in front of your thighs.
- Raise the plate in front of you with straight arms until it reaches eye level.
- Pause briefly at the top and squeeze your front delts.
Grip the bar just outside shoulder-width with elbows slightly in front of the bar.
Form cues
- Grip the bar just outside shoulder-width with elbows slightly in front of the bar.
- Brace your core hard and squeeze your glutes — your whole body is the platform.
- Press the bar in a straight line, moving your head back slightly to clear it.
Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.
Form cues
- Unrack the bar at collar bone height with hands just outside shoulder width.
- Brace your core and glutes, then press the bar straight overhead by moving your head out of the way.
- Lock out with the bar directly over your mid-foot, biceps by your ears.
Why This Workout Works
This workout is built around the principles of endurance training. Use lighter loads (40-60% 1RM) with high reps. Minimize rest between sets to challenge your cardiovascular system. Circuit training and supersets are particularly effective. Focus on maintaining form even as fatigue accumulates.
Training Parameters
- Rep Range: 15-25 reps — designed for sustained muscular effort
- Rest Periods: 30-45 seconds — short rest to maximize calorie burn
- Sets Per Exercise: 2-3 sets — optimized for endurance
Abs Training Tips
- *Heavy compound lifts train your abs hard — dedicated ab work is the finishing touch, not the foundation.
- *Anti-rotation and anti-extension exercises (pallof press, ab wheel) build real functional core strength.
- *Visible abs are made in the kitchen — no amount of crunches overcomes a caloric surplus.
Get this abs workout personalized for you
Revy's AI will analyze your training history, recovery status, and strength levels to customize every set, rep, and weight for maximum endurance results.