Best Exercises for Flat & Sexy Abs

Having flat abs makes you feel more confident and attractive. However, it also means that you are healthier, and it decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer. To ensure that your abs are always super sexy, perform two to three sets of 12 to 25 repetitions at least three times per week. Also, you will never see your hard work pay off without shedding the fatty layer over your abs with proper nutrition and cardio.

V-ups

Lie on your back with hands extended overhead and legs straight. Lift your upper body while lifting your lower body, forming a "V." Try to reach your hands to meet your feet. Slowly lower back to starting position. This exercise can be a little difficult at first. If you cannot lift high enough to touch hands to feet, lift as high as you can. As your abdominals become stronger, your performance of this exercise will improve. This exercise works the rectus abdominis.

Weighted Crunch

Lying on your back with a weight, medicine ball or weight plate between your hands, lift your shoulder blades off the floor. Hold this position for two seconds, and return to starting position. To engage the arms in this exercise, simply press the weight or ball toward the ceiling as you crunch up and then lower it as you lower your shoulder blades. The muscle worked is the rectus abdominis.

Superman

Lying on your stomach with your hands and feet apart, lift your arms and legs simultaneously. Press your stomach in toward the ground and bow your back upward. The stronger and more flexible your lower back becomes, the higher you will be able to raise your hands and feet. Muscles worked are the spinal extensors. Do not attempt this exercise if you have a back injury.

Wood Chop with Medicine Ball

Stand with feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart and a medicine ball in your hands, lean to the right to touch the ball to the floor. Rise up and bring the ball across the body on a diagonal above your head on the left side. Continue through the desired number of repetitions and repeat on the opposite side. If you experience difficulty in reaching the floor with the ball, simply sink as low as possible. Primary muscles worked by this exercise are obliques, transverse and rectus abdominis.

Six Inches

Lying on your back with legs extended and hands to your sides or under hips, contract your abs and lift your feet to a height of 6 inches. Hold this contraction for a total of 30 to 90 seconds, and release to starting position. Placing the hands under the hips removes some strain from the lower back. To increase difficulty and engage your entire core, raise your head as you raise your feet.

Reverse Crunch

Lying on your back with your hands to your sides, bend your knees and place your feet on the floor. While contracting the abs, lift your hips off the ground. Hold the contraction for two seconds and return your feet to the floor. Ensure that the movement is initiated by the abs, being careful not to swing the legs. To make this exercise more difficult, strap on a pair of 2- to 5-lb. ankle weights. The primary muscle worked in this exercise is the rectus abdominis, with assistance from the transverse abdominis and the obliques.