90 Minutes Beginner Abs Workout with Barbell
A 90 minutes strength workout targeting your abs using barbell equipment. 6 exercises, 29 total sets, designed for beginner lifters.
90 Minutes
Duration
29
Total Sets
3-6 reps
Rep Range
~1523
Est. Calories
The Workout
Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.
Form cues
- Place the barbell on your upper traps and stand with the balls of your feet on a raised surface.
- Lower your heels as far below the platform as possible for a deep stretch.
- Drive up onto your toes as high as you can, squeezing your calves at the top.
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.
Position the bar on your upper traps (high bar) or rear delts (low bar).
Form cues
- Position the bar on your upper traps (high bar) or rear delts (low bar).
- Feet shoulder-width or slightly wider, toes pointed out 15-30 degrees.
- Brace your core hard, take a deep breath, and descend by breaking at the hips and knees simultaneously.
Unrack the bar at collar bone height with hands just outside shoulder width.
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.
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.
Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.
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.
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.