Though you can exercise the stomach just about anywhere, there are some exercises you can do in the gym to specifically target your belly. The major muscles in the stomach area include the rectus abdominis, which covers the upper and middle area, the obliques, which cover the sides and the transverse abdominis, which covers the lower area. By doing exercises that target each of these areas in the gym, you'll get a toned and fit midsection.
Cable Crunches
Cable crunches are performed on the cable machine and target the rectus abdominis. To do this exercise, face the machine and hold onto the rope while kneeling. Sit on your heels and hold the rope near your head as you move forward and down. Your elbows should come close to your knees before coming back up to the starting position. Repeat at least 15 times.
Exercise and Medicine Ball Crunches
Exercise and medicine ball crunches help target your abs while adding balance training and strength training to the mix. It targets your rectus abdominis. To perform this exercise, sit on an exercise ball and find your balance. With a medicine ball in your hands, lean back until your upper body is resting on the ball and your knees are bent at a 90 degree angle. Hold the medicine ball above your head and do a crunch. Repeat 15 times keeping the medicine ball above your head.
Decline Bench Reverse Crunches
Decline bench reverse crunches work out your transverse abdominis. They're performed on a decline bench and are essentially reversed crunches. To perform this exercise, lie on a decline bench with your head on the highest point of the bench. Straighten your legs and hold onto the support pad above you. Tighten your abs and lift your knees up and in toward your chest. Straighten your legs and lower them back down to the bench. Repeat 15 times.
Hanging Knee Raises
Hanging knee raises work both the transverse abdominis and obliques and use the pull-up bar in the gym. Grab onto the bar with both hands and hang from it. Tighten your abs and pull your knees up toward your chest. Lower them back down and repeat at least 10 times. Then perform the exercise again, only this time, twist your torso as you lift your knees. Twist to the left and right an equal number of times.
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