5 Best Abdominal Exercises

With the summer months ahead of us, now is the perfect time to make sure you are ready to strut your stuff in that bathing suit. Bathing suit season makes tightening up the stomach and abdominal area to appear strong and lean even more important. But a strong core helps with more than appearance: it protects the spine and promotes proper posture as you participate in daily activities.

Below are five of the best abdominal exercises that you can add to your everyday exercise routine.

1. Frog Sit-ups

   1. Lie with your back flat on the ground and bend your knees with the soles of your shoes touching. Let your outer thighs hit the ground.
   2. Extend your arms over your head.
   3. Sit up fully, touching your feet with your hands.
   4. Lower your back to the floor while extending your hands behind your head again.
   5. Repeat 10 – 15 times.

2. Dumbbell Side Bend

   1. Stand straight up with feet hip-distance apart.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in the right hand (start with 5 – 10 pounds).
   3. Keep your back straight and head up, and bend at the waist to right. Hold for one second, then return to standing position.
   4. Repeat 10 – 15 times.
   5. Hold the dumbbell in the left hand do 10 – 15 reps bending to the left.

3. Elbow Plank Butt-ups

   1. Start in a plank position with elbows on the ground and legs stretched out straight.
   2. Lift your butt upward, focusing on using abdominals, and hold for one second.
   3. Return to starting position.
   4. Repeat 10 – 15 times.

4. Stability Ball Russian Twist

   1. Sitting on the stability ball, begin to walk your feet down until your shoulders are resting on the ball. Legs should be at a 90-degree angle, while thighs are parallel to the floor.
   2. Reach your arms toward the ceiling while keeping your hands together to maintain stability.
   3. With arms straight and hips parallel to the floor, lower arms to the right slowly. Hold for one second, then return to starting position.
   4. Repeat on the left side.
   5. Continue to lower to right and left 10 – 15 times.

5. Exercise Ball Pull-in

   1. Begin in a plank position with feet on a large stability ball in a push-up position. Keep back straight.
   2. Pull knees in towards chest. Hold for one second.
   3. Return to starting position by straightening your legs.
   4. Repeat 10 – 15 times.

Remember that to achieve results, consistency is important. Good luck! Please consult with a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) for more information about these exercises.