No Crunches Allowed: 9 Abs Exercises You'll Actually Enjoy
From the editors of FITNESS, we share nine abs exercises guaranteed to tone and tighten--with nary a crunch in the bunch! They've included exercises that are guaranteed to get results, whether you're a beginner or an old pro looking to shake up your abs routine.
Beginner: Funky Abs
Our model Sarah, a trainer in New York City, keeps her abs tight by running intervals and biking and swimming regularly.
Targets: Abs, lower back
Beginner: Ballerina Twist
Targets: Obliques, abs
Beginner: Twist and Drop
Targets: Arms, abs, obliques, legs
See the rest of the exercises here.
What is your favorite abs exercise?
Provided photos
More great content from Fitness:
Beginner: Funky Abs
Our model Sarah, a trainer in New York City, keeps her abs tight by running intervals and biking and swimming regularly.
Targets: Abs, lower back
- Stand with feet about hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders down.
- Engage abs and tilt pelvis forward so back is rounded.
- Return to center and then reverse the motion -- tilt pelvis backward so butt is sticking out. Do 15 reps; 2 sets.
Beginner: Ballerina Twist
Targets: Obliques, abs
- Sit on mat, with legs extended, toes pointed, thighs together and abs engaged.
- Lean back, placing forearms on mat, palms flat, fingers forward.
- Leaving left forearm on mat, lift right arm overhead and twist torso to left. Return to center. Switch arms and twist right. Do 20 alternating reps; 2 sets.
Beginner: Twist and Drop
Targets: Arms, abs, obliques, legs
- Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Hinge from hips and place hands on floor about 1 foot in front of feet.
- Keeping head down, engage abs and lift left foot.
- Sweep left leg in front of right as you turn right foot out to side, bending right knee.
- Lower hips toward floor, keeping left leg straight.
- Return to start.
- Switch sides and repeat. Do 12 alternating reps; 2 sets.
See the rest of the exercises here.
What is your favorite abs exercise?
Provided photos
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Comments
Kayaking is my new favorite upper/core exercise. Best part is it doesn't feel like exercise (until the day after)! - 4/21/2011 12:12:36 PM
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