Getting fit, toned abs is a high priority for many of us. Unfortunately, great abs mean hard work. Situps are a classic abdominal exercise, but may not be the best choice to tone and tighten your abs. Changing up your toning routine can result in improved muscle tone and work your entire core, rather than just a single muscle group.
The Classic Situp
The traditional situp has been used to gauge fitness and tone the abdominal muscles in schools and the military. In order to do a situp, lay on your back with both knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands behind your head or across your chest. Bend at the waist, moving from a reclined position to an upright seated one, then lower back down. Unfortunately, situps work only the rectus abdominus muscle and can be hard on your back.
Crunches
Crunches are an alternative to situps. While a crunch looks like a situp, it doesn't require that you come all the way up to a seated position. Instead, you'll bring the head, neck, shoulders and upper torso up to no more than a 35-degree angle. While the crunch is an improvement on the traditional situp, it's still not the best choice for your abs. You can make crunches dramatically more effective by taking them up and off the floor with an exercise or stability ball, reports the American Council on Exercise.
The Rower
The United States military recently removed situps from its fitness testing program, replacing them with a more effective exercise. The rower is similar to a situp; however, the arms are extended straight above the head in the starting position. When you situp, bring your arms next to knees, parallel to the floor. This exercise works the upper and lower abdominal muscles and reduces back strain.
Bicycling
The bicycle maneuver is, according to the American Council on Exercise, one of the best all-around abdominal exercise. This toning move works both the rectus abdominus and oblique muscles. Lay on your back with your knees bent and chin slightly lifted toward your chest. Draw the knees up, moving them as if to pedal a bicycle. As you move your legs, crunch up in a diagonal motion, moving the right elbow toward the left knee, then the left elbow toward the right knee.
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