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Abs & Glutes — Workout 3

This 25-minute intermediate workout focuses on lower ab workouts. Led by Linda Chambers, it targets core, shoulders, quads with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

22 exercises in Workout 3

Warm-up5 exercises
3m 22s
0:45
Warm-up: Inchworm

Try and keep the legs as straight as possible to warm up the hamstrings.

hamstringslower backcoreshoulders
low
1:50
Warm-up: Air Squats

Scrub the knees out from side to side for mobility.

glutesquadships
low
2:26
Warm-up: Lunge to Twist

Warming up all of those muscles around the lower back and spine.

quadsgluteslower backspine
low
3:06
Warm-up: Push-ups

Chest touches the floor, and then we press all the way back up.

chestshouldersarmscore
low
3:46
Warm-up: Plank Shin Reaches

Opposite hand is going to reach to the opposite shin or opposite knee.

coreshouldershamstrings
low
Strength7 exercises
7m
4:20
Strength: Squats

Driving through the heels, trying to keep the knees over the middle of the feet.

glutesquadshamstrings
high
5:50
Strength: Push-ups

Breathing out as we push the floor away.

chestshoulderstricepscore
high
7:20
Strength: Lunges

Try and get the back knee as close to the floor as we can.

quadsgluteshamstrings
medium
8:50
Strength: Tricep Push-ups

Elbows are moving back down towards your knees.

tricepsshoulderscore
high
10:20
Strength: Hip Raises

Squeeze the glutes at the top, hover the hips off the ground on the way down.

gluteshamstringscore
medium
19:20
Core: Commando Plank

It's not about how many reps, it's about how much control you have.

coreshoulderswrists
medium
23:30
Core: Crab Toe Touch

The trick is to have your knees and your hands quite close to each other.

coreshouldersquadsfull body
high
Cardio5 exercises
5m
11:50
Cardio: Drop Squats

Don't hold your breath, make sure the muscles get oxygen.

quadsglutesinner thighsfull body
high
13:20
Cardio: Mountain Climbers

Keep your weight over the wrists and try to keep your hips down.

coreshouldersfull body
high
14:50
Cardio: Ice Skaters

Think about landing in a nice, single-leg squat.

outer thighsglutesquadsbalance
high
16:20
Cardio: Burpees

I'm racing you right now. Can you get one more than me?

full bodychestquadscore
high
17:50
Cardio: Reverse Burpees

Using the momentum of the legs to rise and jump.

corequadsfull body
high
Flexibility2 exercises
1m 19s
25:21
Cool-down: Hip Flexor Stretch

Let the hips drop... starting to feel your heart rate go back to normality.

hip flexorships
low
26:30
Cool-down: Quad Stretch

Try to have your knee pointing straight down to the ground.

quads
low
Cool-down1 exercise
30s
24:50
Cool-down: Cat-Cow

Inhale, we need that oxygen. Exhale and stretch through the spine.

spinelower backneck
low
pilates2 exercises
2m
20:50
Core: Rainbow Side Plank

Pushing up through the bottom arm and raising the legs at the same time.

coreouter thighsshoulders
medium
22:10
Core: Rainbow Side Plank (Other Side)

Imagine you don't have legs, all the work is coming from the obliques.

coreouter thighsshoulders
medium

Muscles Targeted

Primary

coreshouldersquads

Secondary

gluteshamstringsfull body

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

thick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Knees closer for easier range
  • On toes for more warmth
  • Add a heel raise at the top for extra challenge
  • Box push-up (knees close)
  • Modified push-up (knees away)
  • On toes
  • Forward stepping
  • Backward stepping
  • Forearm drops (easiest)
  • Modified tricep presses on knees
  • Full range on toes
  • Toes off mat for more challenge
  • Hands up towards the sky for stability challenge
  • Hands on thighs
  • Reach to floor
  • Normal squats if jumping is too much
  • Regular (knee forward)
  • Cross-body
  • Marching (slow pace)
  • Slow leap with single-leg squat
  • Fast leap with opposite hand reach
  • Full (chest to floor)
  • Half burpee (no push-up)
  • Step back (slow variation)
  • Use hands to stand up
  • No momentum (straight arms/legs)
  • From toes
  • From knees
  • Straight legs
  • Bent knees (easier)
  • Bent knees
  • Hand to foot
  • Hand to knee (easier)
  • Stay upright
  • Forearms to ground
  • Reach fingertips forward

Coaching Highlights from Linda Chambers

Driving through the heels, trying to keep the knees over the middle of the feet.

Form

Don't hold your breath, make sure the muscles get oxygen.

Safety

Every mountain climber is a little footstep towards your final destination.

Motivation

Inhale, we need that oxygen. Exhale and stretch through the spine.

Form

Linda brings clinical precision to every session. Her background in corrective exercise shows in how she cues alignment and breathing.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real core and shoulders strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. Best for women with 3-6 months of consistent training. Linda Chambers moves at a pace that assumes basic movement literacy.

unexplained weight gain

90% relevant

muscle mass preservation (metabolic rate); insulin sensitivity improvement; cortisol management; body composition over scale weight

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

aging appearance

90% relevant

Increased collagen production and skin elasticity through resistance training; Improved circulation and nutrient delivery to skin cells; Enhanced muscle definition and tone to reduce appearance of sagging; Better posture to create a more youthful and confident appearance; Stress reduction and cortisol management (via Yoga/Pilates) to mitigate cellular aging; Improved lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness

self worth decline

90% relevant

Enhances body awareness and interoception, fostering a more positive self-perception.; Builds physical strength and competence, translating to increased self-efficacy and confidence.; Promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation, reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.; Offers a structured routine and sense of accomplishment, counteracting feelings of helplessness.; Improves posture and physical presence, which can positively impact self-image and how one is perceived.

difficulty losing weight

90% relevant

Increased basal metabolic rate through muscle mass development; Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation; Enhanced hormonal balance (e.g., cortisol management, estrogen metabolism); Reduced visceral fat accumulation; Improved body composition and fat-to-muscle ratio; Stress reduction and improved sleep quality (indirectly supports weight management)

Relevant For

back painbalancebone densitycardiovascularcoordinationcore strengthflexibilityhip painknee painmetabolismpelvic floorpostureshoulder painstressweight gain

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does this muscle tone workout target?

The primary targets are core, shoulders, quads, with secondary activation through glutes, hamstrings, full body. Linda Chambers programs 22 exercises across 25 minutes — standout moves include Strength: Squats (glutes, quads). Strength: Push-ups (chest, shoulders). Strength: Lunges (quads, glutes). According to SeniorShape Fitness, compound movements like these build functional strength that translates directly to daily life. It works well as a arm toning exercises session. If you're looking for core workouts at home, this session delivers. The core strengthening exercises in this session build deep stability that supports everything from your posture to your pelvic floor.

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll need mat. Don't have everything? Swap in thick towel, carpet. Linda Chambers shows exactly when to grab each piece so you're not scrambling mid-circuit.

Is this workout suitable for beginners?

This one's intermediate level. Linda Chambers assumes basic movement competence — you should be comfortable with foundational patterns like squats and hinges. That said, Linda Chambers does show modifications: Knees closer for easier range; On toes for more warmth. If you're newer, try the beginner sessions in this series first and come back.

How long is this workout?

About 25 minutes, start to finish. That includes 5 warm-up movements and a proper cool-down. Linda Chambers doesn't skip either end, which matters more than people think. 22 exercises total.

Are there modifications available for this workout?

Linda Chambers provides modifications throughout. Examples: Knees closer for easier range; On toes for more warmth; Add a heel raise at the top for extra challenge; Box push-up (knees close); Modified push-up (knees away); On toes; Forward stepping; Backward stepping; Forearm drops (easiest); Modified tricep presses on knees; Full range on toes; Toes off mat for more challenge; Hands up towards the sky for stability challenge; Hands on thighs; Reach to floor; Normal squats if jumping is too much; Regular (knee forward); Cross-body; Marching (slow pace); Slow leap with single-leg squat; Fast leap with opposite hand reach; Full (chest to floor); Half burpee (no push-up); Step back (slow variation); Use hands to stand up; No momentum (straight arms/legs); From toes; From knees; Straight legs; Bent knees (easier); Bent knees; Hand to foot; Hand to knee (easier); Stay upright; Forearms to ground; Reach fingertips forward. The point isn't to suffer through a move you can't do with good form. Linda Chambers's philosophy is clear: own the movement at your level first. Your body will tell you when it's ready for the next progression. It doubles as solid shoulders and arms workout programming.

What health benefits does this Abs & Glutes workout offer beyond fitness?

This session has direct relevance for women dealing with unexplained weight gain, dating after 40. The combination of exercises Linda Chambers chose targets not just aesthetics but functional health markers — bone density, insulin sensitivity, cortisol regulation. A study by Various authors (2023) found that this type of training produces measurable improvements in these areas. The intermediate-level programming means these benefits are accessible without risking injury.

How often should I do this workout?

Two to three times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Your muscles need 48-72 hours to repair and grow stronger after resistance work. Linda Chambers designed Abs & Glutes as a progressive series, so doing the workouts in order gives your body time to adapt. If you're sore for more than two days, that's your body saying slow down, not push harder.

Why does this workout emphasize core exercises?

Because core strength is foundational. It supports everything from posture and balance to injury prevention and daily movement quality. Linda Chambers programs core-focused work into this session because it's the area most women lose strength in first during their 30s and 40s. The exercises here aren't random — they build on each other. Research by Sanem Güven; Aylin Seylam Küşümler (2024) highlights the importance of core training for long-term functional independence in women.

What should I eat after this workout for best results?

A meal or snack with both protein and carbohydrates within 90 minutes of finishing. Something like Greek yogurt with berries, or eggs with whole-grain toast. The protein supports muscle repair, the carbs replenish glycogen. Don't overthink it. Don't skip it either. Your muscles need raw materials to rebuild stronger, and this intermediate-level session asks real effort from your body.

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Linda Chambers

Linda Chambers

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Abs & Glutes