The Best Abs Exercises

Top Exercises

Band Standing Crunch

Beginner / Handle Bands / Abs / core

A vertical core exercise targeting the abdominals. The band provides constant tension that challenges the rectus abdominis through spinal flexion.

Russian Twist

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Abs / core

A rotational core move for the obliques. It improves spinal mobility and trains the core to handle rotational forces, essential for many sports.

Lever Lying Crunch

Intermediate / Leverage Machine / Abs / core

A machine-based crunch that adds resistance to the abdominal muscles. It allows for a controlled, weighted contraction of the rectus abdominis.

Decline Leg Hip Raise

Intermediate / Ab Bench / Abs / core

An advanced abdominal exercise targeting the lower rectus abdominis. The decline angle increases gravity's resistance throughout the leg lift and hip pop.

Cable Standing Crunch

Intermediate / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Abs / core

A vertical core exercise that targets the upper abdominals. It offers constant cable resistance that traditional floor crunches lack.

Cable Kneeling Crunch

Intermediate / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Abs / core

A high-tension abdominal exercise. Kneeling allows for a greater range of motion and the ability to add significant resistance to the rectus abdominis.

Twisting Crunch

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Abs / core

Similar to the twist crunch, this move emphasizes continuous rotational tension in the abdominals to build functional core strength.

Side Bridge Hip Abduction

Intermediate / Bodyweight-only / Abs / isolation

A complex exercise targeting the obliques and the glute medius. It builds lateral hip stability and a powerful core simultaneously.

Oblique Crunches Floor

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Abs / core

A classic floor-based core move for the obliques. It creates a powerful mind-muscle connection for better abdominal control and functional rotation.

March Sit

Beginner / Bodyweight-only / Abs / isolation

A core and hip flexor exercise. The marching motion challenges pelvic stability while the seated position isolates the abdominal wall.

Decline Sit-Up

Intermediate / Ab Bench / Abs / core

A high-intensity variation of the sit-up. The decline position forces the core to work through a larger range of motion and fight greater resistance.

Captains Chair Straight Leg Raise

Intermediate / Captain's Chair / Abs / core

A high-intensity abdominal exercise targeting the lower rectus abdominis and hip flexors. It requires significant core stability to prevent swinging.

Explore by Muscle Groups

Explore by Equipment

Bodyweight-only

BOSU Balance Trainer

Cable Crossover Machine

Cable Machine with Rope Attachment

Captain's Chair

Hi-Lo Cable Machine

Lat Pulldown Machine

Leverage Machine

Mini Loop Bands

Resistance Bands

Seated Cable Row Machine

Stability (Swiss) Ball