An Ab Exercise Which Does Not Include Any Use Of My Neck

Many common ab exercises are performed in the supine position, meaning you lie on back, and they require you to lift your shoulders. These exercises can place a lot of strain on your neck thereby causing pain and injury. If you have a weak or injured neck, you can still develop hard, chiseled abs by doing a lot of ab exercises that do not involve any use of your neck

Stomach Vacuum

The stomach vacuum exercise strengthens your transverse abdominis -- the deepest muscle in your abdomen. It is an easy exercise that can be done anywhere without any equipment. Bodybuilders use this exercise to shrink their waist. Stand up tall with your back straight and your core contracted. Exhale until all of the air is out of your lungs, and then take a deep breath and suck your stomach in. Imagine you are trying to touch your belly button to your spine. Hold your stomach in for 20 seconds. Repeat two more times for a total of three sets. Each week try to hold your stomach in a little bit longer until you can do it for 60 seconds.

Reverse Crunch

Reverse crunches work your rectus abdominis, giving you the same benefits as normal crunches but without the strain on your neck. Lie down on your back on an exercise mat with your knees bent and your arms at your sides. Engage your core and raise your feet so your knees for a right angle to the ground. Exhale, curl your knees towards your chest and lift your hips up. Inhale and return your legs to the starting position. Keep your shoulders and neck pressed firmly against the ground throughout the motion.

Oblique Twist

This exercise will work your obliques -- the muscles on each side of your abs. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms to your sides. Twist your torso to your right and then to your left. Lead with your shoulders, not your arms. Keep your core contracted tightly. Exhale each time you twist in either direction.

Hanging Leg Lift

For this exercise, you will need a pullup bar. Grab the pullup bar with an overhand or underhand grip, whichever is most comfortable for you. Lift your feet off the ground so you are in a dead hang. Exhale and lift your knees up towards your chest, as high as you can. Inhale and slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position. Keep your arms fully extended throughout the exercise so your abs are doing most of the work.