If you're eager to have tight abs, you can't just expect to get the job done by doing tons of sit-ups. You will also need to eat a well-balanced diet and engage in cardiovascular exercise to maintain a healthy weight. If you maintain a lean stomach, daily ab exercises help you build muscle to give your abs a more toned look.
Pelvic Lifts
Doing pelvic lifts each day will help you tone your lower abdominal muscles. Begin pelvic lifts by lying flat on your back, knees bent upward so that your kneecaps are facing the ceiling and keeping your arms at your sides, recommends MayoClinic.com. Tightening your lower abdomen, lift your glutes off the floor until you create a diagonal "bridge" with your back. Keep your knees, hips and shoulders in line with each other. Hold the "bridge" position for up to 10 seconds, repeat it five times and and work up the stamina to eventually reach 20 repetitions, recommends MayoClinic.com
Single-Leg Squat
Doing single-leg squats every day will tone your abdominal muscles as well as your glutes, your hamstrings and your quads, according to Fitness Magazine. Begin by standing up with your feet parallel to your hips. Keep your knees at a slight bend, tighten your abs, place your hands on your hips and lift your right foot about 3 inches above the floor. Squat on your left leg, ensuring that your knee doesn't go over the toes on your left foot, and return to standing position. Repeat 12 times without letting your right foot touch the ground, then repeat on the other side.
Abdominal Hollowing
A daily set of abdominal hollowing exercises will help you tone your deeper abdominal muscles, according to MayoClinic.com. Get on the floor on your hands and knees. Allow your stomach to hang as you inhale. Exhale and draw your belly button up toward your spine and feel your waist tighten for about 10 seconds, recommends MayoClinic.com. Rest, then repeat up to 10 times.
Single-Leg Arm Reach
Doing daily single-leg arm reach exercises will help you tone your abdominal muscles in addition to your glutes, hamstrings and quads, according to Fitness Magazine. Get into position for a single-leg arm reach by standing up with your feet parallel to your hips and bending slightly at the knees. Tighten your abs, place your left hand on your left hip and lift your left knee upwards until it is at about a 90-degree angle in front of your body, recommends Fitness Magazine. Then, lean forward, reach your right arm in front of your body and draw your left foot behind your body while keeping it a few inches off the ground. Maintain this position for one count, pull your arm and leg back into starting position, repeat it 12 times and do the same on the other side.
Mountain Climber
Doing the mountain climber exercise every day will help you tone your abdominal muscles and your core muscles -- which make up your torso -- as well as your thighs and arms, according to Women'sHealth Magazine. Begin this exercise by getting into push-up position with your arms straight down toward the ground and your body in a straight line. Without changing your lower back posture, draw your right knee up toward your chest. Return to your initial position, do the same on the other side and alternate for 10 repetitions.
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