Crunches are one of the most basic abdominal exercises. When dieters set out to lose fat and tone their midsections, the basic crunch is usually done to help accomplish this goal. However, crunches are not for everyone; some have back problems, have difficulty getting up and down from the floor or may simply have abdominal pain when they do crunches. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative exercises that can help you tone all your major stomach muscles, without having to do crunches at all.
Step 1
Perform standing dumbbell bends. Grab two light dumbbells and bend forward, squeeze your abs, and touch the dumbbells to the floor. Slowly lift back to starting position and repeat for three sets of 15 reps, or as your fitness allows.
Step 2
Do side bends to tone your obliques. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lean to the right, allowing your right hand to touch the side of your calf. Slowly lift back to center and repeat on your left side. Do three sets of 15 reps on each side, or as your fitness allows.
Step 3
Try an isometric exercise such as the plank to help tone your abs. Lie facedown with your palms down on the floor, and push your body off the floor into a pushup position. Keep your body weight on your hands and feet. Hold this for 30 seconds then relax for 30 seconds and repeat the plank exercise again. Do five sets, or as your fitness allows.
Step 4
Increase the intensity of your ab toning workouts with hanging leg raises done using an overhead bar or a captain's chair at the gym. Grab the bar or the handles on the chair with your arms shoulder-width apart. Keep your upper body is stable as you lift your legs until they are parallel with the floor. Once there, slowly release your legs back down to starting position. Do three sets of 10 reps, or as your fitness allows.
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