People probably do more stomach exercises than any other kind of exercise.  Everyone wants a flat stomach.  We are frequently asked about the best abdominal exercise.  We’ll give you some examples of abdominal exercises here, but the key to effective exercising is to do it regularly, preferably every day.

Do these exercises slowly.  Keep your abs contracted.  Remember to breathe.

One of the best stomach exercises to start with is the Traditional Crunch.  It really works the abdominal muscles.  Crunches are among the best abdominal exercise you can do.

Traditional Crunch

1. To begin, lie on your back on the floor with your hands positioned behind your head. 

2. Curl the shoulders up and forward until the upper back lifts off the floor.  Contract the ab muscles when you lift the shoulders.

3. Hold for two seconds before returning to the starting position.

4. Do 10 � 15 reps of these stomach exercises.

The traditional crunch is the best abdominal exercise you can do.

Butterfly Crunch

1. Assume the position of a crunch, but with your knees relaxed out to the sides.  Put your feet together.

2. Hold your feet together throughout the exercise.  Perform as you would a traditional crunch.  To increase the level of difficulty, move your feet closer toward your glutes (bottom). 

3. Hold for two seconds before returning to the starting position.

4. Do 10 � 15 reps.

Oblique Crunch

1. Assume the starting position for a traditional crunch.  Bend your knees slightly to take the pressure off your lower back.

2. Curl to one side.  Tighten the abdominal muscles. 

3. Hold for two seconds before returning to the starting position. 

4. Do 10 � 15 reps.

5. Then repeat this exercise on the other side.

The Curl Up and Knee Up are also good stomach exercises to try.

Curl up

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and arms at your side.

2. Slide your hands toward your feet, raising your head and torso as you do so.  Concentrate on contracting your abdominal muscles as you do so. 

3. Hold for two seconds before returning to the starting position.

4. Do 10 � 15 reps.

Knee Up

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent so that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor and your knees are parallel to the floor.  Your knees are up in the air.

2. Curl your hips so that your knees come toward your chest.  Tighten your abdominal muscle as your bring your knees toward your chest. 

3. Hold for two seconds before returning to the starting position. 

4. Do 10 � 15 reps.

One other stomach exercise we recommend is the Cross.

Cross

1. Lie on the floor and place your hands behind your head.  Bend your right knee so that your foot is flat on the floor.  Bend the left knee so that your ankle rests on the bent knee.

2. Aim your right elbow towards your left knee, contracting your abdominal muscles as you do so. 

3. Hold for two seconds before returning to the starting position. 

4. Do 10 � 15 reps.

5. Then repeat this stomach exercise with the other leg.

As you feel your abs growing strong, you can increase the number of reps that you do.  Make sure you keep your abs contracted during this stomach exercise in order to get the maximum benefit.

More than stomach exercises on our benefits of exercise page

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