Many women wish to tone their belly for appearance and health purposes. To develop a lean stomach, you have to focus on working the major abdominal muscles and obliques. It is not possible to spot train one area for fat loss, but a variety of exercises that target the abs can help women build tighter and leaner abdominal muscles.
Reverse Crunches
The reverse crunch is likened to the regular crunch exercise, only you focus on lower ab contraction instead. Lie on your back, plant your feet on the floor and bend your knees. Keep hands to your side, palms faced downward, with head and shoulders on the floor. Gently bring your knees to your chest and hold position for a second, then lower your legs back to the starting position. Do four sets of 15 reps.
Bicycle Crunches
Bicycle crunches work all of your major stomach muscles, including your upper and lower abs as well as your obliques. Lie on the floor, place your hands behind your head, lift your legs slightly off the floor and alternate them back and forth as if riding a bicycle. Rotate your right elbow to your left knee and left elbow to your right knee. Each pair of the alternating moves is one rep. Do four sets of 15 reps.
Standing Side Bends
This side bend exercise is done in a standing position and will help give your oblique muscles a nice curve. Place your feet shoulder width apart, allow your hands to rest on the sides of your thighs and lean your body to the left. Slide your left hand down to the side of your left calf, pull up to the starting position and repeat on the right side. You may also hold dumbbells for added resistance. Do four sets of 20 reps on each side.
Rotating Sit Ups
This exercise is done as if doing a normal sit-up, except you rotate the upper body from side to side with each lift. Lie on the floor, place your back firmly on the ground and anchor your feet underneath a stable piece of furniture. Lift your chest all the way to your knees while twisting to the left, then return to the starting position. Repeat on your right side and complete four sets of 15 reps.
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