The Best Abs Exercises

Top Exercises

Leg Extension Crunch

Beginner / Stability (Swiss) Ball / Abs / core

A complex abdominal movement that combines a traditional crunch with leg extension. It emphasizes both the upper and lower rectus abdominis for total core development.

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.

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.

Band Overhead Side Bend

Intermediate / Handle Bands / Abs / isolation

Targets the obliques and improves lateral spinal mobility. Holding the band overhead increases the challenge to the core stabilizers.

Lever Seated Crunch

Intermediate / Leverage Machine / Abs / core

A weighted abdominal exercise that provides targeted resistance to the rectus abdominis. The seated position allows for better isolation of the core muscles.

Inchworm

Intermediate / Bodyweight-only / Abs / isolation

A dynamic movement that combines core stability with a hamstring stretch. It improves shoulder stability and functional flexibility.

Decline Crunch

Intermediate / Ab Bench / Abs / core

Increases the challenge to the abdominals by using a decline bench. The increased range of motion forces the core to work harder against gravity.

Cable Side Crunch

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Abs / core

A core exercise targeting the internal and external obliques. The standing or kneeling cable setup provides a constant lateral load.

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.