If your problem area is your lower stomach, and crunches just aren't cutting it, pump up your exercise routine with a new abdominal workout. Target all of your abdominal muscles for a more complete workout than crunches alone. Consult your doctor before adding new exercises to your routine, particularly if you have health problems or injuries.
Abdominal Hold
Place a sturdy chair on the ground and sit on it with your back straight and your feet flat on the floor, says Lexi Walters of "Fitness" magazine in the article "Best Ab Exercises." Put your palms down on the chair on either side of your legs and rotate your hands so your fingers are pointing to your knees. Contract your abdominal muscles and lift your feet so your toes are about 2 inches off the floor. Press against the chair with your palms to lift your butt off the chair. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower yourself back down. Repeat for a total of one minute.
Balance Disc Figure Eight
Place a balance disc on the ground and stand on top of it, holding a weighted medicine ball with both hands, says Olympic swimmer Dara Torres in the "Shape" magazine article "How to Get a Flat Stomach Fast." With both hands, lift the ball over your left shoulder, right next to your head, with your elbows bent. Carefully your right leg off of the balance disc. Slowly glide the weighted ball into a horizontal figure-eight shape eight times. Switch legs and repeat eight times on the opposite side.
Side Crunch
Use the side crunch to target the oblique muscles that may be puffing up your stomach, says Walters. Kneel on the floor on both knees, then lean to the right side, placing your right hand on the ground for balance. Extend your left leg out to the side, keeping your knee straight and your toes pointed. Bend your left elbow so it is pointing to the ceiling and place your left hand behind your head. Lift your left leg up to the height of your hip and at the same time, extend your left arm straight out, parallel to your left leg. Lower your leg and arm back to the start position, then repeat eight times before switching sides.
Ball Rollout
Use a stability ball to increase the intensity of your workout by practicing the ball rollout exercise, says Torres. Place a stability ball on the ground and balance your forearms on the ball. Bend your elbows and clasp your hands together, keeping your arms square with your shoulders. Walk your feet back until your legs and back are completely straight and you are balancing the weight of your body on your toes. Roll the ball forward for three to five counts while keeping your legs and torso as still as possible, notes Torres. Roll the ball as far out as possible without losing your balance, then roll the ball back toward your abdominal muscles, bringing your arms back toward your stomach. Repeat five to 10 times.
