When summer is right around the corner and you want to tone your tummy, you need to do cardiovascular exercises to burn the fat in your stomach first. Then, while you choose from the hundreds of abdominal exercises out there, target your lower abs, upper abs and obliques.
Incline Crunches
Use a decline bench to do incline crunches, which target your lower abs. Lie face-up on the bench with your lower shins under the padded support brace and your hands cupping the sides of your head. Steadily lift your shoulders off the bench, move your torso upward and squeeze your abs forcefully. Slowly lower and repeat 15 to 20 times.
Reverse Decline Crunches
Use a slant board or decline bench to do reverse decline crunches, which work your lower abs. Lie face-up on the bench with your head near the top and your hands grasping the padded support above you. In a steady motion, pull your knees into your chest and squeeze your abs forcefully. Slowly extend your legs straight out in front of you and do 15 to 20 repetitions.
Side Crunches
Side crunches work your obliques, or the muscles on the sides of your stomach. Lie on the floor on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and hands cupping the sides of your head. After lowering your bent legs to the floor to your left side, lift your shoulders up, move your torso forward and squeeze your obliques forcefully. Slowly lower your torso, repeat for 15 to 20 repetitions and switch sides.
Bicycle Maneuvers
Bicycle maneuvers work your lower and upper abs and obliques. Lie on your back with your legs elevated, knees bent 90 degrees and shins parallel to the floor. After cupping the sides of your head with your hands, lift your shoulders off the floor and look forward. In a steady motion, move your right elbow and left knee toward each other while extending your right leg. After holding for a second, reverse the motion by moving your opposite elbow and knee toward each other. Continue to move back and forth in a steady, twisting motion until you've completed 15 to 20 repetitions.
Long Lever Crunches
Lie on your back with one knee bent and one extended on the floor. Keep your arms straight above your head and clasp your hands. In a steady motion, move arms and torso forward while moving extended leg toward arms and squeezing your abs forcefully. Slowly lower and repeat for 15 to 20 repetitions, switching legs.
V-ups
A v-up works your upper and lower abs simultaneously. Lie face-up on the floor with your arms extended on the floor above your head and your legs straight. In a steady motion, lift your arms and legs off the floor and reach toward raised feet. Balance on your buttocks. Your body should be in a "V" shape at this point. Slowly lower and repeat 15 to 20 times.
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