Exercises To Quickly Tighten My Stomach

Exercises to Quickly Tighten My Stomach

Sep 2, 2010 | By Katie Vann

Unless you're blessed with excellent genetics, it takes hard work and dedication to get a tight stomach. It's unlikely that you'll get a small stomach from ab exercises alone. Follow a healthy diet plan and exercise frequently if you want to quickly tighten your tummy. Combine cardiovascular exercises with intense ab workouts to burn calories and tighten your core muscles. Avoid doing hundreds of crunches--perform different exercises that challenge your body with less repetitions.

Bicycle Crunches

Lie on your back, interlace your fingers behind your head and stretch your legs out. Bend your knees slightly and raise your legs off the floor. Keep your left leg extended as you move your right knee toward your chest while crunching up and touching your left elbow to your right knee. Hold this position for three seconds. Return to your starting position and repeat the exercise with your left knee and right elbow. Alternate sides for 20 repetitions.

Oblique Crunch

Lie on your back, raise your legs and bend your knees at a 90-degree angle. Cross your arms over your chest. Lift your shoulder blades off the floor by contracting your abs. Squeeze your left ribcage toward your left hip bone while keeping your shoulders off the floor. Hold for two seconds. Return to your starting position. Repeat 15 times before alternating sides.

Leg Push-Downs

Leg push-downs require an exercise partner. Lie on your back and ask your partner to stand by your side. Raise your legs straight up toward the ceiling as high as your hamstrings allow. Place your arms on the floor by your side. Have your partner grab your feet and push them toward the ground. Let your legs fall, but use your abs to prevent them from touching the ground. Raise your legs back up. Contract your abs to raise your legs back up--avoid using your leg muscles.

V Sit-Ups

Lie on your back, extend your legs straight out and hold them a few inches off the floor. Stretch your arms toward the ceiling. Fold your body up into a wide "V" shape by raising your legs and stretching your arms toward your legs. Contract your ab muscles throughout the exercise. Hold the "V" position for a few seconds before slowly returning to your starting position.