The Best Ab Workouts At Home From A Trainer For A Strong, Toned Core

How to:

1. Lie on back with hands behind head. Lift shoulder blades off mat, raise legs so knees are bent at 90 degrees, and gaze at thighs, keeping neck relaxed. This is your starting position.
2. Engage abs and rotate right elbow toward left knee while extending right leg to straight, lowering it as close to the floor as possible without resting it on mat.
3. Return to start and repeat on the other side. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start by lying on right side with left foot on top of right and right forearm on mat, elbow under shoulder. Your palm should be flat with your fingers spread, left hand on hip.
2. Engage obliques and lift hips up until body forms a straight line from head to heels.
3. Pause for one breath, then lower back down to start. That's 1 rep.
4. Complete 10 reps on right side, then flip to left side and repeat.

How to:

1. Start lying on back with hands by sides and legs lifted off the toward the ceiling, toes pointed.
2. Push down into arms and engage core to lift hips off mat.
3. Slowly return to start. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Sit on the floor, clasp hands in front of chest, and lean upper body back until abs are engaged with legs bent feet on the floor. (Option to level up by bending and lifting legs to a hover.)
2. Rotate torso to right side so that right elbow is hovering just off mat.
3. Keep lower body still while rotating upper body to left side until left elbow is just off mat.
4. Return to center. Gaze follows hands as you move. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start standing with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Arms should be raised overhead, elbows bent so that hands can be clasped behind body and biceps are framing face.
2. Engage arm muscles and, with control, swing arms forward and down, stopping when they reach chest level.
3. Return slowly to start. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start in a plank position.
2. Keeping hips level, touch left shoulder with right hand, then place palm back on the floor.
3. Repeat on the other side. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start on all fours with knees under hips and wrists under shoulders.
2. Engage core and lift left arm and right leg off the mat at the same time, keeping hips level and core engaged so back doesn't arch.
3. Slowly return to start.
4. Repeat on the opposite side. That’s 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start in a plank position with feet wider than hips.
2. Slowly bend elbows to lower chest toward the mat, keeping hips, knees, and spine aligned.
3. Press through hands to raise up to full plank. (Modify by skipping the pushup.)
4. Keep toes in place but lower heels down to the right until they reach the mat while rotating torso to face left side of mat and lifting left arm into the air in line with shoulder.
5. Return to start and repeat on the other side. That’s 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start in plank position.
2. Engage lower abs and lift hips to pull body into an upside down “V” shape while reaching right hand back to touch left ankle. (Heels stay high the whole time.)
3. Slowly return to start.
4. Repeat on the opposite side. That’s 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.

How to:

1. Start lying on back with arms and legs extended and on the floor.
2. Raise arms and legs, leaving just bra line and lower back on mat so body looks like a banana.
3. Hold the position for 30 seconds.