Best Abs Exercises

Assisted Reverse Side Situp

How to: Start lying on left side, resting most of weight on left hip, with legs in the air at a 45-degree angle, and place left forearm on the floor for support. Bend knees as you bring them toward chest, and lift chest to meet them. Lower back to start. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps on each side.

Bent Leg V-Up

How to: Start lying on back with legs in air and bent at 90-degrees (shins parallel to floor) and hands clasped over chest. In one movement, straighten legs and lift torso up, extending arms and trying to touch toes with hands. Lower back down to start. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps.

Alternating Toe Reach

How to:Start lying on back with legs extended in air at 45-degree angle and arms straight out to sides on floor at shoulder level. At the same time, raise right leg up and lift torso trying to touch toes with left hand. Return to start and repeat on the other side. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps.

Russian Twist

How to: Start seated on the floor balancing on tailbone with legs bent and elevated so shins are parallel to floor, with ankles crossed, hands clasped at chest and torso leaned back and rotated to left side. Squeeze your abs muscles and rotate your upper body to the right side. Reverse movement to return to start. That's one rep. Do 15 reps.

Side Plank Dips

How to: Start in a left side plank with left forearm on the floor, parallel to top of mat, elbow under shoulder, right hand on hips, and right leg stacked on top of left. Lower hips toward the ground a couple inches, then come back up to start. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps on each side.

Toe Reach

How to: Start lying on back with legs extended straight toward ceiling at hip level, upper body resting on mat, and arms clasped in front of chest. Using lower abs, curl torso up off floor and reach hands toward toes. Lower back to start. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps.

Plank

How to: Get into a low plank by starting on all fours then lowering down onto your forearms, keeping elbows under shoulders, and extending legs out behind body, balancing on balls of feet and forming a straight line from head to heels. Gaze slightly in front of your face, engage abs, and hold for 30 seconds.

Cross Mountain Climbers

How to: Start in a high plank position with your arms straight and your body in a straight line from your head to heels. Bring your right knee toward the left elbow. Return to the starting position and then pull your left knee toward your right elbow. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps.

Bicycle Crunch

How to: Start lying on back with left knee pulled toward chest, right leg extended in air at 45-degree angle, shoulder blades and head curled off mat, hands behind head with elbows wide, and torso rotated toward left knee. Reverse the position of legs while rotating torso toward right knee. Return to start. That's one rep. Do 15 reps.