A flat stomach is the result of a well-rounded fitness routine that includes nutrition, cardio conditioning and abdominal strength training. Fitness trainer Tony Horton recommends adding intense abdominal exercises to your workout routine no more than three times a week. Remember to keep up the cardio training and healthful eating habits to help blast the belly fat that might conceal your sculpted torso.
Bicycle Crunches
The website WorkoutBox suggests bicycle crunches because they work the lower and upper abs as well as the oblique muscles. Lie on your back, placing your hands behind your head. Bend your knees and lift your feet so that your calves are parallel with the floor. Press your lower back into the ground and "bicycle" your legs. With each rotation, touch your right elbow to your left knee and your left elbow to your right knee. Try three reps of 20 crunches.
Single Bridge
"Fitness" magazine recommends "single bridge" for a flatter stomach. Lie on your back and bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor, shoulders-width apart. Lift your hips slowly off the floor and extend the left leg up, reaching the heel to the ceiling. Raise your arms as though you are reaching for the ceiling and hold for five deep breaths. Repeat with the right leg.
Boat Pose
"Boat" is a challenging yoga position for core strength. Sit up straight with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Relax the palms onto the floor at the hips. Lean back on the glutes and lift your feet, pulling your bent knees back to your chest. Practice balancing here. On an exhalation, straighten the legs forming a "V" with the torso. Extend the arms so that they are parallel with the floor.
Plank
Start this core strengthener as if you were at the top of a push-up, palms directly under your shoulders. Tighten your abdomen and glutes, straighten your back. Press through your heels. Hold the posture as long as possible, working up to a minute or longer.
The website Ask The Trainer suggests adding a stability ball to increase the intensity of this exercise. Place the elbows on a stability ball and focus on straightening and flattening your back.
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