This ab workout is not recommended for everyone. Be careful… and remember, the “common sense” rule applies.
| Image | Exercise | Set | Reps | Weight/ Resistance |
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Alternating Toe Touch
1. Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with feet up into the air. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2. Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Extend one arm and reach for the opposite foot. Return to start position and repeat with other hand. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion may cause injury. To increase resistance, hold medicine ball in hands. To decrease resistance, position hand closer towards body |
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20
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Ankle Wiggles
1) Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands at your side. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Reach for you ankle with one hand and repeat with the other side. 3) Return to start position. 4) Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury. |
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20
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Double Crunch
1. Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2. Start position: Hands behind head and knees bent at 90 degrees. 3. Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominals and raise shoulders off floor or bench. During the crunch, also bring knees towards chest. 4. Return to start position. 5. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury. |
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15
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V-Up
1) Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands extended towards ceiling. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Also raise legs up towards ceiling and attempt to touch your hands to your feet. 3) Return to start position. |
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15
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Straight Leg Obliques
Starting Position: Lie on your back and raise your legs straight into the air. Rotate your legs keeping them straight to the side and the then return to the starting position. Repeat to the other side. Talk about a killer ab workout! |
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30
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Situp Hold
1. Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2. Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Now hold for prescribed number of seconds. 3. Return to start position. 4. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury. |
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45sec
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Flutter Kicks
1) Lie back onto floor or bench with both knees bent and feet flat. Place hands at sides. 2) Contract abdominal muscles continuously to stabilize trunk (or tuck stomach in by drawing naval in towards spine). Lower back should be in a neutral position. 3) Start position: Straighten both legs so that they are perpendicular to floor. 4) Slowly lower one leg to approximately 45-90°. 5) Return to start position and repeat with other leg. |
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100
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Scissor Kicks
1. Lie back onto floor or bench with both knees bent and feet flat. Place hands at sides. 2. Contract abdominal muscles continuously to stabilize trunk (or tuck stomach in by drawing naval in towards spine). Lower back should be in a neutral position. 3. Start position: Straighten both legs so that they are perpendicular to floor. 4. Slowly bring legs out away from each other and then return to side by side. 5. Return to start position and repeat. |
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50
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Superman
1) Start position: Lie face down on floor with hands down at sides. You may place a rolled towel under forehead to clear face from floor. 2) Raise chest and head off floor keeping feet in contact with floor. 3) Return to start position. 4) To increase resistance, extend arms and place hands overhead. 5) Do not raise head past 8-12 inches – excessive hyperextension may cause injury. To vary exercise raise feet while raising trunk. |
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20
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Hip Circles
1. Sit on the floor and place a balance disc underneath your hips. 2. Raise your legs off the floor and keeping them together rotate them around in a circular motion. 3. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions. |
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10
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Side Bridge
Start on your side and press up with your right arm. Form a bridge with your arm extended and hold for the prescribed number of repetitions. |
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45sec
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Crunch
1. Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2. Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. 3. Return to start position. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury. |
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20
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Alternating Superman
1) Lie face down on floor with arms extended overhead. You may place a rolled towel under forehead to clear face from floor. 2) Raise right arm and left leg 4-8 inches off floor. 3) Lower and raise alternate opposite arm and leg. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Shoulders and hips should remain squared throughout movement. |
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30
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Straight Arm Hold
Starting Position: Lie on your side with your right hand on the ground. Lift yourself up to form a plank with your right arm straight and your left arm on your side. Hold this position for the recommended number of reps. Repeat with the other side. |
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10
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Pushup Superman w/ Alternating Arms
Starting Position: Start the movement in a plank position. Holding that position raise your right arm and left leg off of the ground. Return to the starting position and repeat with the other arm and leg. Hold each lift for 1-2 seconds. |
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24
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Bicycle Crunch
1) Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2) Start position: Place hands behind head. Straighten right leg. 3) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominals and raise shoulders off floor or bench. During the crunch, bring right knee towards chest. 4) Return to start position and repeat with the left leg. 5) Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury. |
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30
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DB Side Bend
Starting Position: Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Hold a DB in each hand. Laterally bend your torso to the side and then repeat to the other side. Return to starting position. |
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10
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10-15
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Dumbbell Squat and Rotational Swings
1. Start position: Holding a dumbell in each hand start in squatted position with dumbells between legs. 2. Start movement by standing up and keeping arms straight rotate shoulders and trunk towards the left. 3. Return to the starting position and repeat to the other side. 4. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions. |
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20
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5-15
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Straight Arm Modified Crunch
1) Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees straight or bent if you prefer, both hands straight and down by waist. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Extended arm should remain fixed and parallel to head. 3) Return to start position. 4) Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion may cause injury. Also only curl your torso until your shoulders blades are off the ground. Do not try to sit up to an upright position. To increase resistance, hold dumbbell in hand of extended arm. To decrease resistance, position hand closer towards body. |
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15
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Cobra on Floor
1. Start by lying on your stomach with your arms at your sides. 2. Slowly raise your shoulders up off the ground by contracting your low back. 3. Return to the starting position and repeat. |
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10
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Walking Lunge with Dumbbell
1. Start position: Stand with feet hip width apart. Hold a Dumbell in each hand. 2. Step forward 2-3 feet forming a 90° bend at the front hip and knee. DO NOT allow front knee to extend past the big toe – may cause injury. 3. Push body up and move the back foot beside the front foot. Alternate feet and repeat. 4. Remember to keep head and back upright in a neutral position. Shoulders and hips should remain squared at all times. 5. Watch for proper knee alignment – do not let front knee extend past big toe or deviate laterally or medially. Back knee should not come in contact with floor. |
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30
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One Leg Squat
1) Stand with feet hip width apart with knees slightly bent and toes pointing forward. 2) Start position: Lift one foot off ground and extend leg forward. Extend arms forward at hip level.. 3) Lower body by flexing at the hips and knees. Upper body can flex forward at the hips slightly (~5°) during movement. Be sure to “sit back” so that knees stay over the feet. 4) Once thigh is slightly above parallel (as shown) return to start position. 5) Remember to keep head and back straight in a neutral position – hyperextension or flexion may cause injury. Keep weight over the middle of foot and heel, not the toes. Keep abdominals tight throughout exercise by drawing stomach in toward spine. |
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failure
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Squat Jump
1) Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, trunk flexed forward slightly with back straight in a neutral position. 2) Arms should be in the “ready” position with elbows flexed at approximately 90°. 3) Lower body where thighs are parallel to ground. 4) Explode vertically and drive arms up. 5) Land on both feet and repeat. Prior to takeoff extend the ankles to their maximum range (full plantar flexion) to ensure proper mechanics. |
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10
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Alternating Split Squat
1) Stand with feet hip width apart. Take left leg and step back approximately 2 feet standing on the ball of back foot. 2) Feet should be positioned at a staggered stance with head and back erect and straight in a neutral position. Place hands on waist. 3) Lower body by bending at right hip and knee until thigh is parallel to floor then immediately explode vertically. 4) Switch feet in the air so that the back foot lands forward and vice versa. 5) Prior to takeoff extend the ankles to their maximum range (full plantar flexion) ensure proper mechanics. |
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18
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Single Leg RDL with DB
1) Stand with feet hip width apart with knees slightly bent (at 20°). 2) Start position: Lift left foot off ground by flexing at the knee (foot should be behind you) 3) Bending at the hips, lower hands to approximately shin height. Keep knees bent at 20° throughout movement. 4) Return to start position. Complete recommended repetitions and switch legs. Remember to keep back straight – movement should occur at the hip. To facilitate this, shift glutes back as if ready to sit down. Knees should not move forward beyond the toes or deviate laterally or medially. Keep abdominals tight throughout exercise by drawing stomach in toward spine. |
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10
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15-30
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Lying Side Crunch
1) Lie with back on floor or bench with knees bent. 2) Start position: Let your knees fall to the right so that your hips are somewhat rotated. 3) Leading with the chin and left shoulder, contract abdominal muscles and raise left shoulder off floor or bench towards left knee. 4) Return to start position. Repeat with other side. 5) Remember to keep head and neck in neutral position throughout movement. Do not twist excessively – elbow does not need to touch knee. |
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20
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Full Sit Up
1. Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent and hands behind head. Keep elbows back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2. Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench until you are seated in an upright position. 3. Return to start position. 4. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion of either may cause injury. |
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2min
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One Leg V-Up
1) Start position: Lie back onto floor or bench with knees bent, both hands behind head. Keep elbow back and out of sight. Head should be in a neutral position with a space between chin and chest. 2) Leading with the chin and chest towards the ceiling, contract the abdominal and raise shoulders off floor or bench. Extend arms and also raise one leg up toward ceiling. 3) Return to start position. Remember to keep head and back in a neutral position. Hyperextension or flexion may cause injury. To increase resistance, hold medicine ball in hands. To decrease resistance, position hand closer towards body |
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30
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There you have it. Now that’s a killer ab workout! If you’re interested in more workouts like that, you may be interested in an online personal trainer.
These work outs really work. My room mate is a softball coach at Armstrong College in Savannah, and she tought me these exercises and they hurt, but make me feel better and look better.
I tried this out once and I can already feel the deep burn. I cant wait to do it again and start seeing results. Thank you to who ever posted this!
They sure do. Thanks for the comment!
No problem. I’m glad you liked it. The more you concentrate, the more results you’ll get from these movements.
i love the one were you lay with your legs staight on the ground thanks alot because sit ups were hurting my ass really bad
does this just tone up your muscles or does it help you lose the weight as well? i am new at them, and i was just wondering, if they really did work and help.
I find that V-Ups are the best workout you can do for your abs hands down. This article is great because it shows images of how to do the workout, that really helps more then somebody who describes how to do it.