60 Minutes Intermediate Abs Workout with Barbell
A 60 minutes strength workout targeting your abs using barbell equipment. 4 exercises, 20 total sets, designed for intermediate lifters.
60 Minutes
Duration
20
Total Sets
3-6 reps
Rep Range
~1050
Est. Calories
The Workout
Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.
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.
Position your upper back against a bench at roughly the bottom of your shoulder blades.
Form cues
- Position your upper back against a bench at roughly the bottom of your shoulder blades.
- Roll the barbell into your hip crease — use a bar pad for comfort.
- Drive through your heels, pushing your hips up until your shins are vertical and your torso is flat.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees for stability.
Form cues
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees for stability.
- Keep your arms nearly straight as you sweep the barbell in an arc from hip to hip.
- Rotate through your torso — do not just swing your arms across your body.
Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.
Form cues
- Load the barbell with round plates so it can roll freely on the floor.
- Kneel behind the bar and grip it with hands shoulder-width apart.
- Brace your core and roll the bar forward slowly, extending at the shoulders and hips simultaneously.
Why This Workout Works
This workout is built around the principles of strength training. Center your program around the big compound lifts: squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press. Use heavy loads (80-95% 1RM) with low reps and full recovery between sets. Periodize intensity — not every session should be a max effort.
Training Parameters
- Rep Range: 3-6 reps — heavy enough for maximal force production
- Rest Periods: 3-5 minutes — full recovery between heavy sets
- Sets Per Exercise: 4-6 sets — optimized for strength
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 strength results.