Core Strength in 3 Minutes a Day

Jordan, one of the expert fitness coaches at Eden Rock–St Barths, sends his greetings from the sunny island!A former judo champion, Jordan believes that full-bodied fitness (and happiness!) radiates from a strong core. To help you stay in shape from the comfort of your home, Jordan offers this very simple and effective 3-minute exercise for strengthening the abdominals.

For beginners: Perform the exercise once per day for one week, adding a second repetition the following week and so on for four weeks total. You will feel the difference by week 4!

Intermediate/advanced: Begin with 2-4 repetitions per day the first week, adding on one repetition per week for four weeks total to maintain your fitness level.

Steps 1 and 3: Forward plank for 1 minute

Perform a plank, aligning your shoulders over your elbows and clasping your hands underneath your forehead. Set a timer for one minute and hold.

Steps 2 and 4: Side plank for 30 seconds (both sides)

From the forward plank, keep one elbow on the ground and rotate your body to balance on one side, aligning your hips, ankles and feet. Hold for 30 seconds before returning to forward plank.

So, to recap, that’s forward plank for 1 minute, side plank for 30 seconds, forward plank again for 1 minute and opposite side plank for 30 seconds.

1, 2, 3, go!