Stomach Toning Exercises

For all those who imagine that a few crunches will give then washboard or six pack abs, it's time for a reality check. Abdominal exercises will help you tone and strengthen your abdominal muscles. However, these muscles will not be seen unless the fat that covers them is burned. So along with stomach exercises, you will need to perform any activity that will help you burn fat, and also maintain a healthy diet. Explained below are some of the best toning exercises for stomach applicable for both men and women.

Best Toning Exercises for the Stomach

Vertical Crunch
As most of us are familiar with the regular crunches, I thought I'd start with this variation. First lie flat on the floor (or on a mat) and join your palms behind your head. Next, raise your legs up towards the ceiling, so your body will be in an L-shape. Now, commence the crunch by squeezing your abs and lifting your shoulder blades off the floor. While performing this stomach toning exercise, keep your legs steady, and ensure that you do not use pressure from your hands to pull yourself up. Do as many sets as you can of 12-16 repetitions each.

Captain's Chair Leg Raise
Among the simple exercises is the captain's chair leg raise, that works on the obliques as well. This versatile piece of equipment can be used to perform a number of different exercises. For this exercise to be effective and safe, don't swing your legs up, or arch your back. To start, step onto the captain's chair, place your back against the pad, and rest your arms from the elbow to wrist on the arms. Now, firmly grip the handholds, press your back against the pad and squeeze the abs, while bringing your knees up. Slowly, bring your feet back down. Perform as many sets as you need of 12-16 repetitions each.

Reverse Crunch
Lie flat on the floor on your back and join your hands behind your head or place them on the floor. Keeping your feet together, lift your knees towards your chest until they are at a 90 degree angle. Now squeeze your abs, curl your hips off the floor, and stretch your legs up towards the ceiling. Perform between 12-16 repetitions in each set.

Bicycle Exercise
Among the good exercises for toning your stomach, many claim the bicycle crunch to be the most effective. Lie flat on the floor on your back and join your hands behind your head. Fold your knees towards your chest, simultaneously lift your shoulder blades off the ground. Now bring your right elbow towards your left knee, and straighten out your right leg. Now change sides, bringing in your left elbow towards your right knee, and then straighten out your left leg. Keep alternating and perform about 12-16 repetitions in one set.

These stomach toning exercises for women and men protect the spine and propagate good health. However, remember to supplement these efforts with others that will provide a full body workout and maintain a healthy diet.