With the demands of a busy lifestyle, finding time for the gym can often feel impossible. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for effective home workout solutions that deliver results, especially for building core strength. I recently spoke with fitness expert and TV personality Marvin Ambrosius to explore how we can all make core training more effective and sustainable from home.
Marvin’s fitness journey is inspiring. After transforming his own health and body, he went on to host Fit in 5, Sky TV’s first-ever on-demand fitness show, in 2017. Since then, he’s been on a mission to make fitness more accessible and realistic – especially for people trying to stay consistent in the middle of a busy life. Our conversation dove deep into the importance of core strength, functional training, and tools that actually make a difference.
Why Core Strength Should Be a Priority
Marvin: “Your core isn’t just about looking good, it’s the foundation of everything you do. It impacts posture, balance, mobility, and how you move day to day. Whether you’re sitting at a desk all day or rushing around getting things done, your core is working. That’s why I always recommend incorporating plank-based or stability-focused exercises, even if it’s just 15–20 minutes a week.
It’s about thinking long term, too. Do you want to be mobile and upright in your 60s and 70s? Start building those habits now.”
Do You Really Need a Gym to Build Core Strength?
Marvin: “Honestly, no. Unless you’re training for bodybuilding, you can absolutely build strength at home. You don’t need to lift heavy weights to get strong. Using your body weight and activating your stabilizer muscles can be just as effective. The key is knowing how to train smarter, not harder.
Consistency and good form will take you further than overloading yourself in the gym once a week. That’s what I try to get across in all my coaching.”
How to Stay Motivated Without Instant Results
Marvin: “This is such a common struggle – people start working out, expect fast physical changes, and get disheartened when they don’t see a six-pack immediately. But real transformation often starts with how you feel, not how you look.
Even before visible abs, clients tell me their clothes fit better, their posture improves, and they feel stronger. That’s progress. When you shift the focus to performance and consistency, the aesthetic results follow naturally.”
Introducing the Core Master: A Tool That Adapts With You
Marvin: “The Core Master is one of the few tools that genuinely trains the entire upper body while targeting the core. It’s low-impact but high-intensity. The rolling motion engages not just your abs, but also your triceps, shoulders, and back.
What I love about it is the flexibility. You can scale it depending on your level – add weights, go faster, or shift from kneeling to full planks. It grows with you, which is exactly what people need from a home training tool.”
Top 5 Core Master Exercises for Busy Schedules
Marvin: “Here’s my go-to list for effective core workouts that don’t take all day:
- Plank Holds: Five sets of 30 seconds with 20-second rests. Brutal, but effective.
- Core Rollouts: Full rollouts, five sets of 10. You’ll feel this one deep in your abs.
- Core Twists: Great for hitting the obliques and tightening the waist.
- Push-ups with the Core Master: Forces you to stabilize more muscles and boosts upper body strength fast.
- Knee Roll-ins: Roll forward to your knees and then back into plank. Five sets of 10 with 20-second breaks.
- Each of these movements hits a different part of the core and upper body, and they’re easy to incorporate into quick daily routines.”
Final Thoughts
For busy individuals who rely on home workouts, tools like the Core Master make core training simpler, smarter, and more effective. Marvin’s approach blends functional strength, long-term thinking, and smart use of equipment – perfect for anyone trying to stay fit around a packed schedule.
Want to follow Marvin?
Check out more workouts, motivation, and tips from Marvin Ambrosius on Instagram at @marvinambrosius. He’s generously allowed us to share some of his favourite Core Master exercises, so keep an eye out for video demos on our platforms.
Stay strong, stay consistent, and remember your core is at the center of everything.
