While the crunch is certainly a popular, well-known abdominal exercise, there are many exercises that target more layers of the abdomen for a tighter, toned stomach. The abdomen encompasses the obliques and the internal and the external abdominals, which are not all worked when performing a crunch. Fortunately, there are a number of exercises that can work all of the abdominal muscles to develop a tight stomach.
Plank With Shoulder Clock
With a resistance band wrapped around your hands, get in a push-up position with your legs extended and your hands under your shoulders. Tighten your abdominal muscles so you are balanced, and sweep your right arm in a semicircle, reaching forward, out to the side, then down to your thigh before returning to push-up position. Keep your body straight in the push-up position, then perform the "clock" on the other side.
Ballerina Leg Lift
Target all of your abdominals, your obliques and your legs with this graceful move. Start on the floor, sitting with legs stretched straight in front of you. Flex your abdominal muscles, point your toes and lean back, engaging your abs to keep yourself stabilized. Put your forearms on the floor with your fingers facing forward. Keep your left forearm on the floor and raise your right arm over your head. Now, twist your upper body to the left, lifting your leg to a 45-degree angle and crunching your abdominals toward that raised leg. Pause while crunching your stomach, then slowly return to the starting position and repeat on the other side. Perform three sets of 20 repetitions on each side.
Plank
This very simple exercise will help build your core and strengthen your abdominal muscles without having to do any crunches. Put your body into a push-up position, with your legs extended and your hands positioned under your shoulders. Be careful not to lift your butt or let your stomach sag; your body should form a straight line, strengthened and held in position by your core muscles. Hold this position for up to 60 seconds. To make the move more difficult, hold your core muscles steady and lift one leg, holding it about 4 inches from the ground.
Fly-Ups
Lie on the ground with your chest pointing up, legs together and feet flat on a wall. Raise your shoulders while grabbing your outer thighs with your hands. Hold this position while flexing your abdominal muscles for 30 seconds. Let go of your legs, holding for another 30 seconds while continuing to flex your stomach muscles. Repeat this sequence twice.
Double Ballerina
This move works your obliques, abdominals and your legs. Sit on the floor or a mat with your legs stretched straight in front of you and your toes pointed. Tighten your abdominal muscles to balance your body and begin leaning back until you have gone as far as you can while remaining balanced. Place both forearms on the mat with your fingers facing forward, and raise your right arm over your head, keeping your left arm on the floor. Twist your upper body to the left while bringing both legs up to a 45-degree angle. Slowly return your body to the original starting position. Perform three sets of 20 repetitions on each side.
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