Almost everyone wants a flatter, firmer stomach. It's not simply a matter of doing a few abdominal exercises every day. You also need to make dietary and lifestyle changes to lose the fat that lies on top of your abs, "Men's Health" editor David Zinczenko writes in "The Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life." Combine exercises with daily cardiovascular activity and a healthy diet plan to achieve the flatter stomach you long for.
Traditional Crunch
While there are numerous variations of the crunch, the traditional crunch remains one of the most effective exercises for flattening your stomach, Zinczenko writes. Lie on your back with your knees bent and heels firmly on the ground. Cross your arms in front of you and contract your abdominal muscles to bring your elbows to your hips. Do not lift with your back muscles or rock back and forth to raise your body higher. Perform 20 repetitions.
Side Crunch
The side crunch targets your obliques and helps to define and tone your waistline. Perform this exercise with a weight held across your chest to increase resistance. Lie on the floor with bent knees. Bring both knees together and drop them over to your right side. Place one hand behind your head and raise your torso off the floor by contracting your obliques, the muscles on the sides of your waist. Lower back to the floor. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times on each side.
Corkscrew
The corkscrew exercise targets your lower abdominal muscles and obliques. Lie on the floor with your legs straight up, knees slightly bent. Place your arms by your sides. Press into the floor with the palms of your hands. Lift your hips off the floor using your lower abdominal muscles while you twist your hips to the right. Lower your hips and repeat this exercise on the left. Perform 10 repetitions, alternating sides after each rep.
Plank Pose
The plank pose helps tone your entire abdominal area and your arms, wrists and spine, according to Yoga Journal. Start on your hands and knees. Bring one leg straight back behind you, followed by the other leg. Keep your arms straight and pressing firmly into the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles to keep your back from slouching. You should be in a pose that looks like the top of a pushup. Hold the pose for 30 seconds, then release back to your hands and knees.
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