All abdominal exercises will help shape your ab muscles but some are more effective than others, as the American Council on Exercise notes. The lower abdomen can be a problem area for many people. It is therefore important to have exercises in your routine which work out the whole rectus abdominus and oblique areas. Don't forget that a healthy low-fat diet and challenging cardio routine also play a big role in getting a toned stomach.
Hanging Leg Raise
A very tough exercise to perform, the hanging leg raise requires some upper body strength. Hold the grips of an overhead chinup bar. The wider the grip, the more strain on your upper body. Now that you are elevated off the floor, raise your knees up to your chest and then down again, feeling the tension in your lower abs in particular. An advanced version is to raise your legs without bending your knees.
Captains Chair
Support your body weight on your shoulders and arms while keeping your back straight in the captains chair. Do not slouch. This exercise is performed in the same fashion as the hanging leg raise, raising your knees to your chest and then down again. A variation is to swivel your hips to one side and then perform the same motion. This will give work to your oblique muscles.
Stability Ball Sit-ups
The stability ball situp is an effective work out for the upper abdominal section in particular. Sit on the stability ball so that the ball's peak is in the middle of your back. Keep your feet flat and knees bent. The exercise in motion is just like a standard situp, elevating 45 degrees, feeling the clench in the abs, and then returning to start position.
Bicycle Maneuver
The bicycle maneuver is a highly effective exercise which is able to target the whole of the central abs and obliques at the same time. To start, lie on your back with your knees raised and angled at 90 degrees and your fingers locked behind your head with elbows out. Perform the exercise by twisting and elevating your torso. Your left elbow should move towards your right knee while the left leg straightens. Repeat on the right side, and keep repeating, left and right.
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