A tight, toned stomach is the ultimate fitness goal for many people. Not only does it look visually appealing but having a strong set of stomach muscles also improves your posture and makes performing other exercises much easier. In this article I’m going to help you develop the strong set of stomach muscles you’ve always desired by outlining five of the best stomach toning bodyweight exercises.
1 – Bicycle Crunches
Bicycle crunches are a tough but effective stomach toning exercise which involve performing crunches while cycling your legs in the air. To perform bicycle crunches, follow the instructions below:
- Lie down on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you, your hands at either side of your head and your elbows sticking out.
- Raise your legs off the ground, keep your left leg straight and bend your right leg towards your chest.
- At the same time, rotate your body towards your right knee and touch it with your right elbow.
- Straighten your right leg and bend your left leg towards your chest.
- At the same time, rotate your body towards your left knee and touch it with your left elbow.
- Repeat steps 2-5 for as many repetitions as you can manage.
- Rest for 1 minute and then repeat steps 2-6 two more times.
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Bicycle Crunches
2 – Planks
Planks are a stationary abdominal exercise that look deceptively easy but in reality are incredibly tough. They involve holding your body in a tight, rigid plank position for as long as possible and give your core a thorough workout. To perform planks, follow the instructions below:
- Kneel down on the floor and place your forearms in front of you so that they are parallel with your head.
- Straighten your legs, bring your knees off the floor and balance on your toes and forearms.
- Once you have your balance, tighten your core muscles and hold the plank position for as long as you can.
- Rest for 1 minute and then repeat steps 1-3 two more times.
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Planks
3 – Side Planks
Side planks are an effective variation on regular planks that involve holding a similar position while rotating your body to one side. To perform side planks, follow the instructions below:
- Lie down on the left hand side of your body.
- Place your left forearm on the floor and your right hand behind your head.
- Slowly lift your hips off the floor and balance on your feet and left forearm.
- Once you have your balance, tighten your core muscles and hold the side plank position for as long as you can.
- Rest for 1 minute and then lie down on the right hand side of your body.
- Place your right forearm on the floor and your left hand behind your head.
- Slowly lift your hips off the floor and balance on your feet and right forearm.
- Once you have your balance, tighten your core muscles and hold the side plank position for as long as you can.
- Rest for 1 minute and then repeat steps 1-9 two more times.
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Side Planks
4 – Lying Leg Raises
Lying leg raises are another abdominal exercise that look easy when you’re observing them but are very challenging when you actually perform them. They engage all your core muscles as you raise and lower your legs and give them an excellent workout. To perform lying leg raises, follow the instructions below:
- Lie down flat on the floor and place your hands by your butt.
- Slowly raise your legs off the floor, stopping once the soles of your feet are facing the celling and your legs are at a 90 degree angle to your hips.
- Slowly lower your legs back down towards the floor, 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 then repeat steps 2-4 two more times.
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Lying Leg Raises
5 – Lying Knee Tucks
Lying knee tucks are very similar to lying leg raises but involve you bending your knees towards your stomach instead of raising them up in the air. To perform lying leg raises, follow the instructions below:
- Lie down flat on the floor and place your hands by your butt.
- Slowly bend your knees and bring them towards your stomach, stopping when they are fully tucked in.
- Slowly 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 then repeat steps 2-4 two more times.
Click Here For A Video Demonstration Of Lying Knee Tucks
Summary
By practicing the exercises in this article once or twice per week, you’ll rapidly develop a set of strong, toned stomach muscles. When combined with a solid fat loss plan, this will give you the washboard abs you’ve always desired.