Improving appearance, athletic performance or general health are all reasons to do exercises that tone the abdominal muscles. The abs are part of a muscle group called the core that is responsible for your balance. Targeting these muscles with strength-training exercises makes them stronger and firmer while also burning calories to reduce belly fat. Ab exercises are most effective for toning when done along with eating in moderation.
Pulse Up
The pulse up is an ab exercise that is simple to do and targets the rectus abdominis--the muscle on the surface of the skin, or the "six pack" you see on a person with a developed stomach--and the lower back muscles. To perform a pulse up, lie on your back and squeeze your legs together. Place your hands next to your sides with your palms flat on the floor. Raise your legs until they are perpendicular to the floor. Push your lower back flush to the floor and tighten your abs. Lift your hips a few inches into the air as if trying to touch your feet to the ceiling. Slowly lower your hips to the ground but keep your legs up. This completes one pulse up.
Mountain Climber
The mountain climber burns calories and strengthens your abs. The deepest abdominal muscle--the transverse abdominis--is primarily worked to hold in your abs and support your torso while doing mountain climbers. Begin in push-up position with your body face down on your hands and toes. Your arms are perpendicular to the floor and the rest of your body forms an unbroken, diagonal line from your feet to your head. From this starting position, bend your right knee and pull in toward your stomach, then switch legs. Do not raise your hips or arch your lower back. The body's line should remain straight throughout the exercise.
Medicine Ball Twist
The medicine ball twist tones your entire waist, including the oblique abdominal muscles on the sides of your stomach. Both a medicine ball and a Swiss ball are required to perform a medicine ball twist. The starting position for this exercise is done by lying face up with a ball under your back and your feet flat on the floor. Bend your knees to 90 degrees and move your feet hip-width apart. Lie back so your torso is parallel to the floor and hold a medicine ball above your chest with your arms straight. Twist your body from your waist to the right as far as you can without lifting your hips off the ball. Twist back until your arms are pointing straight toward the ceiling. Then twist to the left.
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