Nutrition

30 exercises for a flat belly

Struggling to get a flat belly? These 30 exercises can help you tone and firm your abs, including crunches, planks, side planks, and more

A flat belly is a dream for many people. But it is not easy to achieve. It requires a combination of healthy eating habits and regular exercise.

There is no magic formula for getting a flat belly, but there are specific exercises that can help you to tone your abdominal muscles. In this article, we will discuss 30 exercises for a flat belly that can help you to achieve your goal.

1. Crunches

Crunches are the most popular exercise for a flat belly. They target the rectus abdominis muscle, which is responsible for the six-pack look. To do crunches, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground.

Place your hands behind your head. Lift your shoulders and upper back off the ground while contracting your abdominal muscles. Lower back down and repeat.

2. Reverse Crunches

Reverse crunches are a variation of crunches that target the lower abs. To do reverse crunches, lie on your back with your hands behind your head. Lift your legs up with your knees bent. Lift your hips off the ground and bring your knees toward your chest.

Lower your hips back down and repeat.

3. Bicycle Crunches

Bicycle crunches target both the upper and lower abs. To do bicycle crunches, lie on your back with your hands behind your head. Bring your knees up to a 45-degree angle. Alternate bringing your elbows to your opposite knee while extending the other leg.

Keep your shoulders off the ground and engage your abs.

4. Plank

Plank is a core exercise that targets the entire abdominal area. To do a plank, get into a push-up position with your arms straight and your hands shoulder-width apart.

Tighten your abs and hold this position for as long as possible while maintaining a straight line from your head to your heels.

5. Side Plank

Side plank is a variation of the plank that targets the obliques. To do a side plank, lie on your side with your elbow directly under your shoulder. Lift your hips off the ground and form a straight line with your body.

Hold this position for as long as possible.

6. Russian Twist

Russian twist is a rotational exercise that targets the entire abdominal area. To do Russian twists, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lean back slightly and lift your feet off the ground.

Twist your torso to the right and touch the ground with your left hand. Twist to the left and touch the ground with your right hand. Repeat.

7. Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers are a cardio exercise that targets the entire abdominal area. To do mountain climbers, get into a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart. Bring one knee up toward your chest, then extend it back.

Alternate sides as fast as you can while maintaining a straight line from your head to your heels.

8. Leg Raises

Leg raises target the lower abs. To do leg raises, lie on your back with your hands under your hips. Lift your legs off the ground until they are perpendicular to your torso. Lower your legs back down and repeat.

9. Flutter Kicks

Flutter kicks are a variation of leg raises that target the lower abs. To do flutter kicks, lie on your back with your legs straight. Lift your legs a few inches off the ground and alternate kicking them up and down like you are swimming.

10. Scissor Kicks

Scissor kicks are another variation of leg raises that target the lower abs. To do scissor kicks, lie on your back with your hands under your hips. Lift your legs off the ground a few inches. Cross one ankle over the other and then uncross them.

Repeat on the other side.

11. Pilates Roll Up

Pilates roll up is a core exercise that targets the upper abs. To do Pilates roll up, lie on your back with your arms extended overhead. Slowly roll up to a seated position, then roll back down one vertebra at a time.

12. Seated Knee Tucks

Seated knee tucks target the entire abdominal area. To do seated knee tucks, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lean back slightly and engage your abs. Lift your knees up toward your chest, then extend them back out.

Repeat.

13. Lying Leg Twists

Lying leg twists are a rotational exercise that target the entire abdominal area. To do lying leg twists, lie on your back with your arms extended out to the sides.

Lift your legs off the ground and twist them to one side, touching the ground with your opposite foot. Repeat on the other side.

14. Ball Crunches

Ball crunches are a variation of crunches that target the upper abs. To do ball crunches, lie on a stability ball with your feet flat on the ground and your hands behind your head. Tighten your abs and lift your upper back off the ball.

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Lower back down and repeat.

15. Ball Reverse Crunches

Ball reverse crunches are a variation of reverse crunches that target the lower abs. To do ball reverse crunches, lie on a stability ball with your hands behind your head. Lift your hips off the ball and bring your knees toward your chest.

Lower your hips back down and repeat.

16. Ball Plank

Ball plank is a variation of the plank that targets the entire abdominal area. To do ball plank, get into a plank position with your forearms on a stability ball. Maintain a straight line from your head to your heels.

17. Ball Pike

Ball pike is a challenging exercise that targets the entire abdominal area. To do ball pike, get into a plank position with your feet on a stability ball. Lift your hips up and roll the ball toward your hands.

Straighten your arms and lift your hips as high as you can. Roll the ball back out to a plank position and repeat.

18. Jackknife

Jackknife is a challenging exercise that targets the entire abdominal area. To do jackknife, lie on your back with your arms extended overhead and your legs straight. Lift your arms and legs up at the same time, folding your body in half.

Touch your toes with your fingertips, then lower back down and repeat.

19. V-Ups

V-ups are a challenging exercise that target the entire abdominal area. To do V-ups, lie on your back with your arms extended overhead and your legs straight.

Lift your arms and legs up at the same time, folding your body in half and reaching for your toes. Slowly lower back down and repeat.

20. Standing Oblique Crunches

Standing oblique crunches target the obliques. To do standing oblique crunches, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands behind your head. Lean to one side and touch your elbow to your knee. Repeat on the other side.

21. Side Bends

Side bends target the obliques. To do side bends, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips. Lean to one side, contracting your oblique muscle. Repeat on the other side.

22. Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are a rotational exercise that target the entire abdominal area. To do windshield wipers, lie on your back with your arms extended out to the sides. Lift your legs up until they are perpendicular to your torso.

Slowly twist your legs from side to side like windshield wipers.

23. Standing Knee Tucks

Standing knee tucks target the entire abdominal area. To do standing knee tucks, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands by your sides. Lift one knee up toward your chest, then lower it back down. Repeat on the other side.

24. Toe Touch Crunches

Toe touch crunches target the upper abs. To do toe touch crunches, lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms extended overhead. Lift your upper back off the ground and touch your toes with your fingertips. Lower back down and repeat.

25. Torso Twist

Torso twist is a rotational exercise that targets the entire abdominal area. To do torso twist, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lean back slightly and engage your abs.

Twist your torso to the right and tap the ground with your left hand. Twist to the left and tap the ground with your right hand. Repeat.

26. Medicine Ball Slams

Medicine ball slams are a cardio exercise that target the entire abdominal area. To do medicine ball slams, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a medicine ball above your head.

Slam the ball down onto the ground as hard as you can, catching it on the bounce. Repeat for several repetitions.

27. Rollouts

Rollouts are a challenging exercise that target the entire abdominal area. To do rollouts, kneel on the ground with a stability ball in front of you. Place your forearms on the ball and roll it forward as far as you can while keeping your abs engaged.

Roll the ball back and repeat.

28. Cable Woodchop

Cable woodchop is a rotational exercise that target the entire abdominal area. To do cable woodchop, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart next to a cable machine.

Grab the handle with both hands and twist your torso as you pull the cable down across your body. Repeat on the other side.

29. Decline Bench Sit-Ups

Decline bench sit-ups target the upper abs. To do decline bench sit-ups, lie on a decline bench with your feet secured at the top. Place your hands behind your head and lift your upper back off the bench. Lower back down and repeat.

30. Hanging Knee Raises

Hanging knee raises target the lower abs. To do hanging knee raises, hang from a pull-up bar with your palms facing away from you. Engage your abs and lift your knees up toward your chest. Lower back down and repeat.

Disclaimer: This article serves as general information and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance. Individual circumstances may vary.
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