What Are Good Exercises to Get Abs

9 Ridiculously Effective Exercises That Work Your Abs

These moves are too good not to try—and you don't need any equipment to do them.

Master1305 / Getty Images

When it comes to strengthening your core you don't need to work your abdominal muscles to complete exhaustion. Yep, you don't have to be so hardcore when it comes to getting a hard core. By focusing on effective exercises (read: not performing mindless crunches or holding a plank for so long that good form is a concept versus a reality), you can see the abs results you're after.

Of course, it takes both smart training and a healthy diet to develop a rock-solid core. But consider these nine bodyweight exercises lesson one. Core school is now in session.

• 

  Whitney Thielman

  Side Plank With A Twist

  • Come into a forearm side plank on your left side with your left elbow resting on the floor below your shoulder.
  • Place your right arm behind your head.
  • Rotate your torso toward the floor, bringing your right elbow to meet your left hand. Don't let your hips drop.
  • Return to start.

• Whitney Thielman

  Mountain Climbers

  • Start in high plank and draw your right knee under your torso, keeping the toes off the ground.
  • Return your right foot to starting position.
  • Switch legs and bring your left knee under your chest. Keep switching legs as if you're running in place.

• Whitney Thielman

  Plank Up

  • Start in high plank. Bend one arm to bring the elbow and forearm to the floor.
  • Bring the other arm down so you are in a forearm plank.
  • Push back up to the start position, placing each hand where your elbows were.
  • Repeat this movement, alternating which side you lower first with each rep.

• Whitney Thielman

  Front Lunge With A Twist

  • Start standing with feet hip-width apart.
  • Take a big step forward with right foot and bend knees to lower into lunge while twisting torso over right leg.
  • Return to standing. Alternate sides with each rep.

• Whitney Thielman

  V-Up

  • Lie face up with arms and legs extended and resting on the floor.
  • Keep abs tight and lift hands and feet to meet over torso.
  • Lower your arms and legs back to the floor.

• Whitney Thielman

  Plank Jacks

  • Start in high plank.
  • Keeping your core engaged, jump your feet out and in (like jumping jacks).
  • If your wrists bother you, try this move on your forearms, like this.

• Whitney Thielman

  Down Dog Abs

  • Start in down dog and lift your right leg into the air, this is your down dog split position (also known as three-legged down dog).
  • Bring your right knee under your torso. Pause then extend right leg back to down dog split.
  • Now bring your right knee to meet your right elbow. Pause then extend right leg back to down dog split.
  • Finally bring your right knee to meet your left elbow. Pause then extend right leg back to down dog split. Make sure you do both sides.

• Whitney Thielman

  Plank + Dolphin

  • Start in a forearm plank position with arms parallel to each other and palms flat on the floor.
  • Lift hips up and back creating an inverted "V" with your body.
  • Pause then slowly lower back to your forearm plank.

• Whitney Thielman

  Lateral Plank Walk

  • Start in high plank with shoulders above your wrists and abs tight.
  • Step right foot and right hand to right side immediately following with left foot and left hand. Take a few "steps" in one direction, then walk in the opposite direction.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

What Are Good Exercises to Get Abs

Source: https://www.self.com/gallery/9-ridiculously-effective-exercises-that-work-your-abs

Share this post