There's no denying that core strength is important. Not only does it help to flatten the stomach, but it also makes other activities much easier. Most athletic pursuits engage your core muscles, even if you're unaware of it. To strengthen your core and help tone the abs, a number of exercises are beneficial.
Crunch
The abdominal crunch is one of the most popular exercises to tone the abs, and it's often one of the more effective, especially when you use the proper form. Lie on your back with your knees bent at a 45-degree angle. Position your feet about hip-width apart. Cross your arms in front of you with your hands at your shoulders. Tighten your abdominals and lift your head and shoulders off the floor. Hold for roughly three seconds and then release. Repeat until you feel muscle fatigue.
Crunch Twist
Another effective exercise to tone your core muscles is a modified crunch known as the crunch twist. As in the previous exercise, lie on your back with your knees bent to a 45-degree angle and your feet at about hip-width apart. Bring your hands behind your head with your fingertips pressed a few inches behind your ears. Don't intertwine your fingers. Tighten your abdominals and lift your head and shoulders off the floor. At the same time, twist your chest to the right, bringing your left elbow in line with your right knee. Hold for one second and then bring your body back to center. With your abdominals still tightened, twist your chest to the left, bringing your right elbow in line with your left knee. Hold for one second and release. Repeat on each side of the body until you feel muscle fatigue.
Bent Leg Raise
Lie on your back with your knees bent to a 90-degree angle and your feet about hip-width apart. Slide your hands underneath your buttocks with the palms pressed firmly into the floor. Tighten your abdominal muscles and lift your feet off the floor. With your knees still bent, keep lifting your feet until your thighs are perpendicular with the floor. Hold this position for one second and then lower your feet back to the floor. Repeat until you feel muscle fatigue.
Straight Leg Raise
From this same position, straighten your legs until they're fully extended. Keep your hands under your buttocks with your palms still pressed into the floor. Tighten your abs as you lift your legs off the floor. Continue to lift your legs until they're perpendicular with the floor. Hold for one second and then release. Repeat until you feel muscle fatigue.
Knee Raise
Sit on the edge of a bench. Lean back, bringing your hands behind you, and press the palms of your hands into the bench. Lift your feet off the ground and straighten your legs until they're fully extended and parallel with the floor. Tighten your abs and bend your knees toward you. Hold for one second and then extend your legs straight. Repeat until you feel muscle fatigue.
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