Having a strong core helps improve your physical performance and overall health. While countless ab exercises can strengthen your core, some are more effective than others.
Here are some of the best ab exercises to help you tighten and tone your stomach muscles for a strong core.
1. Scissor Kicks
Why Does It Work?
Scissor kicks are a great ab exercise to help you strengthen and tone your core muscles. The exercise works your abdominal muscles and helps build a strong core by engaging your transverse abdominis muscles.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back with your arms by your side and legs extended.
- Lift your legs to a 45-degree angle and slowly open and close your legs in a scissor motion.
- Keep your lower back on the floor and your core engaged as you complete the exercise.
- Repeat the exercise 2–3 times.
2. Plank Knee Tucks
Why Does It Work?
Plank knee tucks are an effective ab exercise that targets your entire core. This exercise engages all of your core muscles and helps to build strength and stability in your abs.
How to Do It:
- Start in a plank position with your feet and hands on the floor.
- Keeping your core tight and your back straight, bring one knee up and towards your chest.
- Lower the knee back to the starting position and repeat the motion with the opposite leg.
- Do 20 repetitions and repeat the exercise 2–3 times.
3. Reverse Crunches
Why Does It Work?
Reverse crunches are a great ab exercise for targeting your lower abs. This exercise helps to tone and strengthen your core muscles while also engaging your transverse abdominis and hip flexors.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended.
- Lift your legs to a 90-degree angle and crunch your knees towards your chest while engaging your core.
- Slowly lower your legs back to the starting position and repeat the exercise.
- Repeat the exercise 2–3 times.
4. Side Plank
Why Does It Work?
Side planks are an effective ab exercise that helps to strengthen your obliques and build a strong core. This exercise also helps to improve posture and balance and engage your hip flexors and transverse abdominal muscles.
How to Do It:
- Start in a plank position with your feet and hands on the floor.
- Shift onto your side, stacking your feet and keeping your core engaged.
- Hold the side plank position for 30 seconds and repeat the exercise on the opposite side.
- Do three sets of 30 seconds on each side and repeat the exercise 2–3 times.
5. Bicycle Crunches
Why Does It Work?
Bicycle crunches are a great ab exercise for targeting your entire core. This exercise helps to engage your core muscles while also strengthening your abs and improving balance and posture.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended.
- Lift your legs to a 45-degree angle and bring one knee towards your chest.
- Rotate your torso and bring the opposite elbow towards your knee.
- Rotate back to the starting position and repeat the motion on the opposite side.
- Do several repetitions and repeat the exercise 2–3 times.
6. Russian Twists
Why Does It Work?
Russian twists are an effective ab exercise that helps to strengthen your obliques and build a strong core. This exercise also engages your transverse abdominis and hip flexors while helping to improve balance and posture.
How to Do It:
- Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Lean back slightly and lift your feet off the floor.
- Twist your torso to one side, bringing your arms to the opposite side.
- Twist your torso to the opposite side, bringing your arms to the other side.
- Repeat the exercise 2–3 times.
Summary
The core muscles of your stomach are the foundation of a strong and healthy body. Incorporating these six ab exercises into your workout routine is a great way to target and tighten your core muscles and develop a strong and healthy core. Regularly performing these exercises can improve your posture, balance, and overall physical fitness.
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