The Core Circuit Finisher Workout with Better Oats

By Lee Funke

Published 9/20/2016 • Updated 11/27/2020

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If you look back into the Fit Foodie archives, you will notice that pretty much the first 20 recipes I ever made were variations of oatmeal. Oatmeal is what made me fall in love with blogging in the first place. It helped me learn how to style and photograph food, recipe develop, and get creative in the kitchen. Some of my all time favorite FFF recipes involve oatmeal and of course my favorite week of the year is Overnight Oat Week. How could I forget the crazy oatmeal community on Instagram? I’m part of it AKA I surf my Instagram feed every morning only to double tap an comment on beautiful bowls of oats. Whelp, after 6 years of blogging, I’ve finally found myself the most PERFECT, LOCAL oatmeal partner. I am very excited to introduce a new brand partnership FFF has planned over the next year.  —> Better Oats! 

Better Oats is Minnesota-based (YEEHAW) and I love everything they stand for: better ingredients and better packaging! They have an amazing line of products ranging from grab-and-go 100 calorie packets to quick cooking steel cut oatmeal (which is what this post is all about!). Oats really are my favorite breakfast. Ask Linley, she’s always surprised when I’ve eaten something else  before our workout! Why do I love oatmeal so much? Well first and foremost, they help ya poop! Poop is something everyone keeps hush hush, but I SAY WE TALK ABOUT POOP LIKE WE TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER. Everyone does it 😀 Second of all- they really are satisfying and that is oh-so important in a breakfast. I’m usually a rolled oats kind of girl because they are quick and easy…but I just discovered Better Oats’ Instant Steel Cut Oats, which cook in 2.5 minutes in the microwave. HUZZAH.

Usually steel cut oats take at least 25 minutes on the stove stop…ain’t nobody got time for that! These puppies are done in less than 3 minutes and are as perfect as ever. I was really excited when Better Oats wanted to partner on a fitness post. Post-workout grub…makes a lot of sense! I thought it would be fun to play off the 2.5 minute cook-time for these steel cut oats, so I made a KILLER ab circuit that’s 2.5 minutes long. Do it 3 times and you’ve got yourself. Did I mention there’s NO crunches involved? 

Looking for an ab routine to add on to an existing strength or cardio workout? Tack on 3 rounds of this 2.5 minute core circuit to feel the burn!  Oh- and you can even do a round, while your Better Oats are cooking in the microwave. 

This workout is meant to be added on to a cardio or strength workout. It’s circuit style – – – 5 exercises – – – 30 seconds each – – – 3 total rounds. We’re talking major burn…especially with this lineup of exercises! If you don’t like one of these exercises you can absolutely switch it out for something else.

Look- I even made a video to show you how to do each move. My fav? Horse Pose + Oblique Crunches. Reminds me of my yoga sculpt days! 

The Core Circuit Finisher Workout

Directions: Complete this Core Circuit Finisher after a strength or cardio workout. Do each exercise for 30 seconds with no breaks in between. Once you’ve completed the entire circuit, rest for 30 seconds. Do a total of 3 sets. 

Equipment needed: Yoga mat

Circuit

• Horse Pose Oblique Crunches
• Plank Hip Taps
• Jack Knife Sit Ups
• Alternating Single-Leg Deadlift + Crunch
• Alternating Fire Hydrant + Leg Raise

This post is sponsored by Better Oats (I LOVE OATMEAL). I was compensated and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Fit Foodie Finds and making this website possible!