Looking for a quick summer workout that actually works? You’re in the right place.
This 20-minute glute and abs workout is all about keeping things simple—no equipment, no gym, just you and a mat.
Today’s article will walk you through 15 exercises that target your core and booty without taking up your whole day.
Here’s the full workout:
Opposite Reach and Crunch
For this one, you’ll fire up your entire core by making your abs work extra hard to stabilize as you reach in opposite directions.
It’s a great way to start any summer workout because it warms up your whole midsection.
How to perform:
- Start on the ground in a crunch position
- Extend your opposite leg and opposite arm out
- Crunch them together toward the center
- Alternate sides with each repetition
- Keep each movement slow and controlled
Double Pulse Squat
Adding a pulse to your squat keeps your glutes under tension longer—hello, booty burn!
This one’s a staple in any glute and abs workout because it targets your lower body while keeping your core engaged.
How to perform:
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart
- Lower down into a squat position
- Pulse twice at the bottom of the squat
- Stand back up
- Repeat the movement continuously
Curtsy Lunges
Curtsy lunges hit your glutes from a different angle than regular lunges, which helps sculpt that rounded look.
They’re perfect for an at home glute workout and work great for beginners and teens alike. Having trouble with balance? Just slow it down until you find your rhythm.
How to perform:
- Stand upright
- Take one leg diagonally behind you
- Lower down into a lunge position
- Use your glute to push yourself back up
- Complete 30 seconds on one side, then switch to the other side
Elbow to Knee Crunches
This classic flat belly workout move targets your upper abs and obliques at the same time.
For this one, focus on really squeezing at the top to get the most out of each rep.
How to perform:
- Lie on the ground on your back
- Place your feet flat on the floor
- Reach up and meet your elbow to your knee in the center
- Lower back down and repeat
Single Leg Glute Bridges
Isolating one leg at a time means your glutes have to work twice as hard—no cheating allowed!
This is one of the best exercises for glutes if you want to build strength and shape without any equipment.
How to perform:
- Lie on your back
- Extend one leg up straight
- Lift your hips and press them to the ceiling as high as possible
- Lower back down
- Complete reps on one leg, then switch to extend your other leg
- Focus on getting those hips nice and high
Leg Drops
Leg drops are a killer core and glute workout move that really challenges your lower abs.
The key here is keeping your back flat on the floor the entire time. If your back starts to arch, don’t drop your legs as low—you’ll still get the burn!
How to perform:
- Stay on your back in a crunch position
- Drop your legs down as far as you can while keeping your back flat on the floor
- Bring your legs back up
- Repeat the movement
Donkey Kicks
This exercise is a must for any full glute workout because it directly targets your glute muscles with each kick.
You’ll also feel your core working hard to keep you stable in that tabletop position.
How to perform:
- Flip over into a tabletop position (on hands and knees)
- Starting with one leg, kick up to the back, bringing your foot as high as possible
- Then kick up to the side
- Keep your core nice and tight
- Switch legs and repeat
Donkey Kick Hold with Extension
For this one, you’re taking the classic donkey kick and adding a hold plus extension, which makes it way more intense.
Your glutes will be on fire, and that’s exactly what we want for a summer body workout.
How to perform:
- Stay in the tabletop position
- Take a donkey kick position and hold
- Extend your leg straight out
- Bend it back in
- Pull your leg as high as possible and squeeze your glutes
- Switch to the other leg and repeat
Rainbow Legs
Rainbow legs are one of those exercises that look simple but will have your glutes and core burning within seconds.
The sweeping motion works your outer glutes while your abs fight to keep you balanced. Don’t let the graceful movement fool you though—it’s sneaky hard!
How to perform:
- Stay in the tabletop position
- Extend one leg straight diagonally back
- Sweep it up and over to the other side
- Continue the arc motion back and to the side
- Keep your core nice and tight
- This works both your core and your glutes
Oblique Dips
Time to target those side abs! Oblique dips are amazing for working toward a smaller waist and more defined midsection.
Really focus on the squeeze at the top of each rep.
How to perform:
- Come down onto your elbows in a side plank position
- Lower your hip down
- Squeeze and lift back up
- Focus on the squeeze at the top
- Switch sides and repeat
Side Crunches with Pulse
The pulse at the end of each crunch keeps your obliques engaged longer for that extra burn.
This one’s a go-to move for anyone wanting to tone their waistline at home.
How to perform:
- Stay on your side on the ground
- Squeeze and crunch twice (one, two)
- Hold and pulse for counts of three and four
- Keep your toes pointing straight out in front of you
- Switch sides and repeat
Plank Leg Extensions
Planks are already tough, but adding leg extensions turns this into a total body workout.
Your abs stabilize while your glutes do the lifting—it’s the perfect combo.
How to perform:
- Come to a plank position on your hands
- Extend one leg up toward your chest
- Squeeze your glutes as you lift your leg up
- Switch legs and repeat
Reverse Lunge with Pulse
Reverse lunges with a pulse are an easy summer body workout move that seriously challenges your legs and glutes.
Stay low and strong to really feel it working. If your legs start shaking? You’re doing it right.
How to perform:
- Stand upright
- Step back into a reverse lunge
- Come down and pulse at the bottom
- Complete 30 seconds on one side
- Switch legs and repeat
- Stay nice and low, nice and strong
Standing Side Leg Lifts
This barre-inspired move is perfect for targeting your outer glutes and improving balance.
You can hold onto a wall if you need support, or challenge yourself by going freestanding—it’s up to you!
How to perform:
- Stand upright—you can hold onto a wall for support or test your balance freestanding
- Keep your leg parallel to the floor with toes facing forward
- Lift your leg out to the side, squeezing your glute as you bring it up
- Keep your core nice and tight
- Maintain a slight bend in your supporting leg
- Switch legs and repeat
Plank with Alternating Leg Lifts
We’re finishing strong with this glutes and abs workout finisher! Keep your core tight and squeeze those glutes with every lift—you’ve got this!
How to perform:
- Get into a plank position on your elbows
- Lift each leg alternately
- Squeeze your glutes with each lift
- Hold your core nice and strong
- Continue for 20 seconds, holding nice and strong

Article Medically reviewed by
I’m fitness coach Ashley Castleberry, an NASM-certified personal trainer and nutritionist, as well as a coach on an established YouTube Channel with over 1 million followers. With certifications from major fitness brands, I specialize in athletic, HIIT, and strength training. Leveraging my experience coaching clients on lifestyle changes, I provide customized exercise and nutrition guidance to help people reach their fitness goals, whether that be weight loss, muscle gain or overall health improvement.
