We've compiled the 55 most effective ab exercises you can do, some with equipment to increase the intensity, and some without, so you can get in an ab workout anywhere. Mix and match to create your own core-strengthening routine. We suggest adding two to five moves to your next strength-training session.
Lie flat on the ground with your legs extended straight up toward the ceiling. Place your hands underneath the back of your head. For added stability, place your arms out to your side, allowing the palms to grip the floor (much like you would in a push-up position).
Pressing your lower back into the ground, slowly lower both legs down toward the floor, then slowly raise them back up. If this is too difficult, lower them as much as you can or lower one leg at a time.
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Towel Abs
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You don't need disc sliders for this exercise; just grab a pair of towels and get to work.
Begin in plank position with two towels under the balls of your feet (or paper plates if you're on carpet).
Slowly bend both knees in toward the chest while keeping the arms straight, shoulders over the wrists, and maintaining a flat, tabletop back. If this is too difficult, draw one knee in at a time.
This counts as one rep.
For a variation, draw both knees to the right foot, straighten the legs back behind you, then draw both knees to the left foot.
Start in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your shins on the ball.
Do not allow your lower back to arch. Keep your feet, pelvis, and shoulders in one long line.
On an exhale, pull your abs deeply to your spine and use your abs to fold your body in half, pulling the ball forward toward your hands as your pelvis moves up in the air.
Your toes will move onto the top of the ball, and your back will become perpendicular to the floor like a handstand. Allow your head to fall between your arms, keeping your neck long and in line with your spine.
Lower yourself back into a plank position and do not allow your pelvis to sag below your shoulders.
Start in a Downward Dog pose, actively pushing your weight into your heels while reaching your tailbone to the sky. Lift your left leg up squeezing the left glute.
Exhale, and rock your weight forward over your hands, drawing your left knee toward your nose and pulling your abs to your spine to round your back.
Inhale and lift your left leg up as your push your weight back into your heels. This complete one rep.
Start in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your feet in line with your hips. Lift your left leg off the ground so your heel is even with your pelvis.
Keeping your torso steady, reach your right arm forward. Really brace through your abs by pulling your navel to your spine. Hold this position for about three seconds. It's harder than you think!
Return to plank, then switch sides lifting your right leg off the ground and reaching your left arm forward. Hold for three seconds and return to plank. This is one rep.
Come into a side plank on your right side, with your feet stacked one on top of the other and your weight on your right elbow with your fingers reaching away from your body, palm down.
Place your left arm behind your head, and inhale to prepare.
Exhale and pull your navel to your spine to engage your deep abs, and rotate your left rib cage toward the floor. Stay there for a second, and deepen your abdominal connection by pulling your navel in toward your spine even more.
Return to starting position. This counts as one rep.
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Plank With Leg Lift
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Lie on an exercise ball under your belly and walk your hands out until the ball is under your shins. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders.
Draw your navel toward your spine to engage your abs and stabilize your torso.
Lift your left leg up, squeezing your glute, then slowly lower your leg back onto the ball.
Switch sides and lift the right leg keeping your pelvis square. This counts as one repetition.
Place your palms on the ball, and stand with your legs wide, about three or so feet apart. Walk the ball out so your back is straight and your hips are in the same line as your ankles.
From here, lean your body forward, allowing the ball to roll down your forearms. Stop once your elbows reach the ball and you're balancing on your tiptoes.
Then use your core and legs to get your body back to the starting position. Keep your abs engaged throughout this move.
Lie on your back holding an exercise ball above your chest, extending your feet up toward the ceiling.
On an exhale, move your arms and legs away from each other, lowering both toward the ground. Inhale to bring them back toward each other, and transfer the ball from your hands to your legs.
Then lower your arms and legs toward the floor away from each other.
Bring them back together, transferring the ball back to your hands to complete one rep.
Stand with your feet a little wider than hip distance apart holding a five- to 10-pound dumbbell over your head. Squeeze your head with your upper arms to fire up your core and protect your neck.
Bend sideways to the right, squeezing your waist on the right side. Keep your neck as neutral as possible, looking forward, not down.
Pull the left ribs down to return to standing upright. This focuses the work on the left obliques. Switch sides, and bend to the left to complete one rep.
Squat, and twist left to hold the dumbbell on the outside of your left leg.
Exhale, and lift the weight diagonally across your body, ending twisted to the right with the dumbbell above your head. Pivot on your left foot as needed.
The move is a bit percussive, so focus on the rotation initiating in your torso.
Control the weight back up to the starting position to complete one rep.
Stand with your feet hip width apart with a slight bend in your knees. Keeping your spine in neutral, lift a five- to eight-pound medicine ball overhead.
Begin to circle the ball to the left, in the largest circles you can make, while maintaining a still and stable torso.
Circle eight times, then reverse directions for another eight reps to complete one set.
Stand with your knees slightly soft, holding a dumbbell at chest level.
Keep your pelvis stable as you rotate your ribcage right and left, to complete one rep. Be sure to keep your abs pulled toward your spine as you twist from side to side.
Stand with your feet hip distance apart. Hold a five- to 10-pound medicine ball with both hands with your arms outstretched in front of you.
Keep your core stable, and take a large step back with your right foot, planting your foot and then lowering your body until both legs are bent in right angles.
As you sink into the lunge, twist your torso to the left.
Bring your torso back to centre, and exhale as you straighten your legs. Bring your feet back together, and then step back on your left leg, twisting to the right.
Begin in a plank position holding a five-pound dumbbell in each hand, keeping your wrists stiff to protect the joints. Open your feet a little wider than hip distance.
Lift your left hand to the ceiling, twisting through your entire torso — keep the motion smooth and controlled. Your pelvis will rotate, but keep it level without letting it raise or drop.
Bring your left hand back to the floor, and repeat this action on the other side to complete one rep.
Start on your knees. If this hurts your knees, fold up a mat or towel and kneel on that for a little cushioning. Your thighs should be parallel.
Hold a five- to eight-pound dumbbell with both hands in front of your chest.
Take a breath in, and as you exhale, lean back, squeezing your glutes, and use your abs to keep your spine straight. As you inhale, return your torso back to the starting position.
Lie on your back, and reach your arms rigidly to your side, off the floor. Lift your legs off the floor, and point them, so they are at about a 45-degree angle. Lift your head, so your shoulders are off the floor as well.
When you're ready to begin, lift your upper torso off the floor, and bend your knees. You can lean back to make this move harder or come up more to make it easier. Slowly lower your upper body back down to the floor, straightening out your legs as you do so. Stop when your back is on the floor, but not your head, shoulders, or legs.
Lie on your back with your knees open and the soles of your feet together (in a butterfly position). Lengthen your arms overhead so they are resting on the floor.
Exhale and bring your hands and knees toward each other, performing a full-body crunch. Your shoulder blades should be off the mat as you perform a small reverse crunch, lifting your pelvis a bit off the mat. Hold this position for a moment, and really feel your abs squeezing.
Slowly lower your arms and feet back to starting position to complete one rep.
Lie on your back, and open your legs into a diamond shape (aka butterfly legs) with the soles of your feet pressed together and knees out wide. Extend the arms overhead.
Inhale to curl the torso up, and tap the floor in front of your feet to stretch your glutes a bit.
Start lying on your back with your arms reaching toward the ceiling.
Exhale and roll up toward sitting while lifting your left leg up. Pause at the top and reach for your toes before rolling down slowly back to the mat, then perform on the other side. This completes one rep.
Begin seated at the front edge of your mat, with knees bent and legs parallel. Reach your arms toward the ceiling to lengthen your spine.
Exhale and pull abs deeply toward spine, and begin to roll down the floor one vertebra at a time; the movement should be smooth and controlled. Once your head reaches the mat, reach your arms overhead so they are parallel to the floor.
Exhale and begin to roll up, peeling your spine off the mat and coming all the way to sitting. Inhale your arms up toward the ceiling. This completes one rep.
Begin lying on your back with your legs in the air, toes toward the ceiling, holding the medicine ball over your chest with straight arms. Engage your abs to press your low back into the mat while lifting your head, neck, and upper back off the mat.
Exhale and round your low back so the bottom of the pelvis raises as you lift your upper body an inch higher off the mat. Aim the medicine ball toward your ankles as you perform this double crunch.
Inhale, and lower the pelvis and upper back an inch toward the floor. Continue this slow pulsing motion.
Lie on your back, and lift your legs and arms up, so they are extended toward the ceiling. Lift your upper back off the floor, reaching your hands toward your feet.
Lower your legs toward the floor while reaching your arms overhead, keeping your shoulders off the mat and lower back pressed into the mat.
Lie flat on your back. Extend your arms so they're against the sides of your body with your palms pressing into the floor, or bend your elbows and place your palms under the back of your head. Bend your knees and draw them into your ribs. This will make it easier to pull your navel in toward your spine and actively press your lower back flat on the ground.
Lift both legs straight up toward the ceiling, continuing to engage your abs and pressing your lower back into the ground. Keeping your core strong, slowly lower your right leg down toward the ground until it is a few inches above.
Then slowly scissor your legs, lifting your right leg back up as you lower your left leg down toward the ground. This completes one rep.
Holding a dumbbell in both hands, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your heels off the floor.
Lean slightly back without rounding your spine at all. It is really important, and difficult, to keep your back straight.
Pull your navel to your spine, and twist slowly to the left, bringing the weight to your left side. The movement is not large and comes from the ribs rotating, not from your arms swinging. Inhale through centre, and rotate to the right. This completes one rep.
Start by hanging on a pull-up bar with palms facing out, or use the ab straps and hang with your arms inside of them. Do use a box or bench if you need help reaching the bar.
Pull your shoulder blades down your back to keep your shoulders away from your ears.
Engage your abs as you fully extend both legs, lifting them up simultaneously with control.
Lower the legs down slowly and return to the starting position. This completes one rep.
Avoid swinging during this move to ensure that you're really working your abs.
Begin sitting with your heels planted about two feet from your butt, holding the weights at chest level with a slight bend in your elbows. Lean back a few inches, pulling your abs toward your spine to keep your spine long and straight.
The left arm remains still, as you open your right arm to the side, making sure the weight doesn't go beyond your shoulder.
Bring your right arm back to centre and repeat on the left side to complete one rep.
Begin by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground, about two feet from your butt. Hold weights, five- to eight-pound dumbbells, in both hands at your chest with your elbows on the floor.
Keeping your hands at your chest, roll up to a sitting position. Twist your ribs to the left as you "punch" your right hand to the outside of the left knee.
Bring the right hand back to your chest as you untwist, bringing your torso back to the centre, and roll down to the ground.
Repeat the sit-up, twisting to the right side to complete one rep.
Start off sitting on your bum, so your hands are planted eight inches behind you. Bend your knees and place your heels about a foot away from your hips. Make sure they are hips-width distance apart.
Inhale and lift your hips off the ground so your torso is parallel with the floor and your arms are straight. Your hands should be directly underneath your shoulders and your ankles underneath your knees, so make small adjustments if you need to. Lower your head behind you to increase the stretch in your chest and neck.
Hold for a complete breath, and then keeping your arms straight, exhale to lower your hips and straighten your legs, so your hips are hovering above the floor. Engage your abs and try to keep your spine long as you balance on your heels and hands. After a complete breath, inhale and push yourself back into the first position.
Lie on your back with your arms reaching toward the ceiling, holding one weight with both hands. With the sole of your left foot on the mat, bring your right toes toward the ceiling.
Exhale and lower your arms and leg toward the floor, keeping your lower back touching the mat.
Lie on your back with a three- to five-pound dumbbell in each hand. Raise your arms straight up above your chest, with a slight bend at each elbow. Raise your legs up to tabletop, with knees and hips bent to 90-degree angles.
Inhale and open your arms to your side, with a slight bend at each elbow. Exhale as you bring your arms back up to starting position.
Once your arms are back straight, lift your upper back and curl up toward your legs, pushing your weights toward your shins. As you curl up, stretch your legs out in front of you.
Uncurl your spine slowly as you lower your upper body to the floor while bending your knees back to 90-degree angles. Once your head is back on the floor, release your arms to back out by your side, making sure not to let your upper arms touch the floor.
Lie on your back with your hips and knees both at 90-degree angles, using your low abs to press your lower back into the mat. Holding five- to eight-pound dumbbells, raise your arms toward the ceiling, keeping the elbow joint slightly bent.
Reach your arms overhead, tapping the dumbbells on the floor above your head. Do not let your back arch away from the floor as you lower the weights.
Raise your arms back to the starting position to complete one rep.
Sit on a mat or carpeted floor. Loop one handle of the resistance band on either foot. Hold onto the middle of the tube with both hands, and lie on your back.
Draw your navel toward your spine, and press your low spine into the floor to protect your lower back, then lift both legs up so they are almost pointing straight up toward the ceiling.
Holding the band securely, scissor your legs up and down one at a time, starting with the left leg. Move slowly, and point your toes.
To make this move more difficult, lower your legs so they are about six to 10 inches above the floor — illustrated in the lower image. Make sure to keep your abs scooped when you work with your legs close to the ground.
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Crunches on Exercise Ball
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Sit on a well-inflated exercise ball.
Place your hands behind your head, and walk your feet away from the ball so your torso starts to roll onto the ball. The ball should support your hips and the curve of your lower back. Your legs should form a bridge with your knees bent at right angles.
Exhale and lift your upper body by about 45 degrees, pulling the deep abs in toward the spine, and return to starting position to complete the rep.
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Bicycle Crunches
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Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground (pull your abs down to also target your deep abs). Interlace your fingers, and put your hands behind your head.
Bring your knees in toward your chest, and lift your shoulder blades off the ground.
Straighten your right leg out to about a 45-degree angle to the ground while turning your upper body to the left, bringing your right elbow toward the left knee. Make sure your rib cage is moving and not just your elbows.
Now switch sides and do the same motion on the other side to complete one rep (and to create the pedaling motion). Do this exercise with slow and controlled motion.
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Frogger
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Begin in a plank position. Jump your feet to the outside of your hands, coming into a deep squat and keeping your hands on the floor.
Jump your feet back to a plank to complete one rep.
Really engage the abs by trying to slow down the jump, aiming to land the feet softly, without making a sound.
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Plank Jacks
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Begin in plank position, with your shoulders over your wrists, your body in one straight line, and your feet together.
Like the motion of a jumping jack, jump your legs wide and then back together. Jump as quickly as you want, but keep your pelvis steady and don't let your booty rise toward the ceiling.
This counts as one rep.
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Knee Driver
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Begin in an elbow plank position with the abs engaged.
Draw the left knee into the chest. Then step the foot back to the elbow plank position. Now draw the right knee into the chest and then step it back to the elbow plank position.
This counts as one rep.
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Side-Plank Crunch
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This move is definitely advanced, but you can modify by bringing your bottom knee to ground in a kneeling position.
Begin in a side elbow plank with your left elbow down and your right hand behind your head.
Keeping your torso stable and your waist lifted, bring your right leg up toward your shoulder to lightly tap your right elbow.
Lengthen your right leg back to the starting position to complete one rep.
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The Roll-Up
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This Pilates exercise is about control. The more slowly you go, the harder it is.
Lie on your back with arms overhead.
Bring the arms forward until they are above your head (fingertips pointing to the ceiling).
Lift the head and together with the arms roll your spine up one vertebra at a time, keeping your navel pulled into your spine.
Roll up completely until you are bending forward reaching toward your toes.
To return, stack your vertebrae one at a time, until you are sitting erect, and then slowly roll down starting from the sacrum (pelvic tilt backward to touch sacrum down first) one vertebra at a time until you are lying flat on your back again with arms overhead.
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Double Leg Raise, Scissors
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Lie on your back with your arms at your sides. Pull your navel into the spine.
Lift both legs up at once until they are at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
Crisscross your legs as you simultaneously slowly lower both legs toward the floor, just hovering above the ground.
Keep crisscrossing as you lift the legs back up to a 45-degree angle to complete the rep.
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Twisting Mountain Climber
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Start in plank and pull your abs to your spine to engage your core.
Explosively bring your right knee up toward your left elbow while twisting your obliques.
As soon as you return your right foot to the floor, explode with your left leg, pushing your left knee toward your right shoulder. The movement and transitions should be fluid, without pauses, in this exercise.
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Upper-Ab Crunch With Small Ball
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This is a common crunch variation used in barre classes.
Lie on your back with your feet together and knees opened in a butterfly position.
Place the ball at the bottom of your shoulder blades, and then place your hands behind your head.
Exhale, pulling your abs to your spine, and contract your upper abs as you perform a crunch. Continue this motion with small, concentrated pulses.
