What's the Best Exercise to Flatten Abs?

Article by Sarah Snyder (3,053 pts ) , published Aug 31, 2009

The best exercise to flatten abs depends on your preferences. From Pilates to stability ball crunches to weight machines, the sky is the limit when it comes to working out your abs. You may even choose to rotate the various methods.

The Traditional Moves

From sit ups to pull-ups and push-ups, if you want just the basics, there are definitely a few old standards. Look here to find some of the basic best exercise to flatten abs. Other favorites include the plank, the double crunch and the bicycle. The plank requires you to lay flat on the floor and raise your legs together up to a 45-degree angle without bending the knees more than slightly. The double crunch requires you to tuck your knees towards your chest while at the same time crunching forward with your arms bent and your head cradled in your hands. The bicycle requires you to lay on your back and alternate banding your legs as 45-degree angles and pushing forward in a circular motion, as if you are riding a bicycle.

Pilates

Pilates is great for a best exercise to flatten abs, and it combines cardio, strengh training and flexibility all into one workout. A famous Pilates exercise for the abs is the Hundred, in which you lay flat on your back, raise your legs as a 45-degree angle without bending your knees beyond slightly, then reaching your upper body forward. You are to keep your arms straight in front of you as if you are reachong for your toes, and you pulse for 100 counts. Another good move is The roll-up, which requires you to move with the curvature of your spine from starting position (laying flat on your back on the floor), then reaching up using your ab muscles, then touching your toes. Learn more about Pilates.

The Ball Crunch

Another exercise to flatten abs is performing crunches with the help of an exercise ball. Propping your stability ball under your lower back, perform the basic crunch and feel how your muscles are truly working. This move can be modified to work the obliques. There are even moves for your lower ab muscles. Learn more about stability ball exercises.

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