One of the main reasons to work your abs at home is that there is no one around to watch, interrupt or make you feel uncomfortable. Ab exercises at home may be done any time night or day to allow you to fit a quality workout into your schedule. Working the abs at home doesn't preclude you from doing difficult exercises. Beginners and advanced exercisers alike can train their abs from the comfort of their own living room.
Ballet Twist
The ballet twist is a beginner abdominal exercise that will work your stomach and waist muscles while also giving the opposite side of your body a nice stretch. Don't be surprised if you even enjoy this exercise for the good feeling you'll get from stretching. Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Lean back and twist your shoulders to the right, placing your right elbow and forearm onto the floor behind you. Raise your left arm straight over your head with your palm facing the floor. Look behind you to the right. Check that the right elbow is in line with your right shoulder. Do not raise your lower body off the floor. Hold for three seconds. Twist to the left and place your left arm on the floor while extending the right arm over your head. Your upper body will be about 45 degrees from the floor with the spine straight throughout the exercise. Alternate sides for a total of six to eight reps per side. Do two sets.
Leg Raises
The leg raises is an intermediate abdominal exercise that is extra challenging for the lower abs. It is sometimes called a reverse crunch, though that name also refers to a different exercise. Lie on your back with your legs straight on the floor. Relax your arms at your sides, palms down. Raise your legs straight toward the ceiling at a 90-degree angle to your body. Press your lower back into the floor. Lower your legs slowly toward the ground only as low as you can go without the lower back arching. Raise the legs back up to the starting position. Do two sets of five to 10 reps.
Abdominal Hold
The abdominal hold is an advanced ab exercise that can be done with the help of a chair or bench. It requires some upper-body strength as well, like many other abdominal exercises that work your core. Sit in a chair and hold the edge of the chair with your hands, fingers pointing forward. Start with your knees bent and your feet on the floor. Raise your toes a few inches off of the floor and use your arms to lift your glutes into the air. The arms should be straight with your hands in line with the shoulders. Hold yourself up for as little as five seconds before returning to the chair. Continue the exercise for one minute.
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