A tight, toned stomach is a popular health fitness goal for many. Not only is it visually appealing, but strong stomach muscles also improve posture and make other exercises easier. I’ll outline five of the best bodyweight exercises to help you achieve the strong stomach muscles you’ve always wanted.
1. Bicycle Crunches
Bicycle crunches are a challenging but effective exercise that works your stomach muscles by combining crunches with a cycling motion. Here’s how to do them:
- Lie down on the floor with your legs straight, hands beside your head, and elbows out.
- Raise your legs off the ground, keeping your left leg straight and bending your right leg toward your chest.
- Rotate your body toward your right knee and touch it with your left elbow.
- Straighten your right leg and bend your left leg toward your chest.
- Rotate your body toward your left knee and touch it with your right elbow.
- Repeat steps 2-5 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
- Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 2-6 two more times.
2. Planks
Planks are a stationary exercise that looks simple but is incredibly effective for working your core. To perform a plank:
- Kneel down and place your forearms on the floor, parallel to your head.
- Straighten your legs, lift your knees off the floor, and balance on your toes and forearms.
- Tighten your core muscles and hold the plank position for as long as possible.
- Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 1-3 two more times.
3. Side Planks
Side planks are a variation of regular planks that target your obliques. Here’s how to do them:
- Lie on your left side.
- Place your left forearm on the floor and your right hand behind your head.
- Lift your hips off the floor, balancing on your feet and left forearm.
- Tighten your core muscles and hold the side plank position.
- Rest for 1 minute.
- Repeat on the right side.
- Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 1-6 two more times.
4. Lying Leg Raises
Lying leg raises engage all your core muscles and are excellent for building strength. To perform lying leg raises:
- Lie flat on the floor with your hands by your sides.
- Slowly raise your legs off the floor until they are at a 90-degree angle.
- Lower your legs back down, stopping just before they touch the floor.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
- Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 2-4 two more times.
5. Lying Knee Tucks
Lying knee tucks are similar to lying leg raises but involve bending your knees towards your stomach. Here’s how to do them:
- Lie flat on the floor with your hands by your sides.
- Slowly bend your knees and bring them towards your stomach.
- Straighten your knees, stopping just before your feet touch the floor.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
- Rest for 1 minute and repeat steps 2-4 two more times.
Final Thoughts
Incorporate these exercises into your routine once or twice a week to develop strong, toned stomach muscles. Combine them with a solid fat loss plan, and you’ll be on your way to achieving the washboard abs you’ve always desired.