The Best Abs Exercises

Top Exercises

Elbow to Knee Sit-Up

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Abs / core

A rotational core exercise that targets the rectus abdominis and obliques. It improves coordination and functional rotational strength of the torso.

Band Side Bend

Beginner / Handle Bands / Abs / isolation

Targets the obliques. The band provides lateral resistance, strengthening the side-waist and improving spinal stability.

Ab Roller Crunch

Advanced / Bodyweight-only / Abs / core

A core stabilization exercise using an ab roller. It challenges the entire abdominal wall by requiring resistance against spinal extension.

Incline Twisting Sit-Up

Intermediate / Ab Bench / Abs / core

Targets the upper abdominals and obliques. The incline increases resistance while the twist adds rotational work for the core.

Cable Reverse Crunch

Intermediate / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Abs / core

A core exercise targeting the lower abdominals. The cable resistance adds a unique challenge to the eccentric phase of the movement.

Wipers

Intermediate / Bodyweight-only / Abs / isolation

An advanced rotational core exercise targeting the obliques and transverse abdominis. It builds extreme rotational control and stability.

Vertical Leg Raise

Intermediate / Captain's Chair / Abs / core

A powerful lower-abdominal exercise. Lifting the legs vertically targets the lower rectus abdominis and hip flexors while building core endurance.

Twist Crunch

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Abs / core

A rotational core exercise targeting the obliques and rectus abdominis. It improves waistline definition and rotational spinal health.

Roman Chair Sit-Up

Intermediate / Ab Bench / Abs / core

A high-intensity core exercise. Using a Roman chair allows for a deficit range of motion, placing the abdominals under extreme stretch and load.

Cable Seated Crunch

Beginner / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Abs / core

A machine-based abdominal exercise that allows for heavy resistance and precise control over the rectus abdominis.

Cable Hanging Leg Raise

Intermediate / Cable Crossover Machine / Abs / core

An advanced core exercise. Attaching cables to the feet adds resistance to the hip flexors and lower abdominals during the hanging lift.

Ball Sit-Up

Beginner / Stability (Swiss) Ball / Abs / core

An effective core exercise performed on a Swiss ball to increase the range of motion. It targets the rectus abdominis while engaging deep stabilizers for balance.

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Accessories

Cable Crossover Machine

Cable Machine

Cable Machine with Rope Attachment

Free Weights

No Equipment

Resistance Bands

Seated Cable Row Machine

Sled Machine

Smith Machine

Stability (Swiss) Ball