Six-pack abs are highly celebrated on magazine covers and highly coveted by anyone with a stomach (which is to say, everyone wants them). They’re also highly elusive—it takes grit, determination and a near-perfect diet to achieve a six pack.
So why not settle for a stomach that’s flat?
Flat stomachs look every bit as good as six packs—and they’re a lot easier and more fun to achieve. Here are 10 exercises that can help you get there:
Dancing. Who doesn’t love dancing? It’s fun, looks cool and burns a whopping 400 calories an hour. So get out there and shake it!
Sitting on a fitness ball. Swap your office chair or couch out for a fitness ball and you’ll strengthen your core and tone up your belly. It’s that easy—all you have to do is sit there.
Sit-ups. There’s a reason everyone has heard of sit-ups: They work, but only if you do them correctly. Start slow. Support your neck. And don’t strain your lower back.
Reverse curls. If sit-ups hurt too much (which is frequently the case), try reverse curls. Lie on your back and lift your upper legs and thighs into the air, leaving your shoulders and head on the ground. Reverse curls are easier than push-ups, but every bit as effective.
Yoga. It’s good for the body and the mind.
Stand tall. Proper posture actually helps strengthen your ab muscles and helps keep them taut. So stand up straight.
Crunches. Crunches are like extreme sit-ups. Because you’re pulling your elbows toward your knees, your entire abdomen gets a strenuous workout.
Reach for your toes. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you—and then reach for your toes before lying your back on the ground and repeating. You’ll get stronger abs and feel a lot more flexible.
Flex. Simply flexing your stomach muscles and holding it in helps keep them tone. And you can do it any time of the day.
Stop doing 12-ounce curls. Soda and beer cause stomach bloat. Cutting them out of your diet will help keep your stomach flatter.
