4 Moves to Tone Your Abs

The appearance of your abs can determine whether you feel confident and comfortable in a swimsuit or crop top. If you feel your abdominal area is somewhat flabby, you probably spend plenty of time trying to conceal it while wondering how you can improve it once and for all. While sticking to healthy food options is key to losing weight, there are also smart exercises you can do to target your abs. Here are four of the best.

1. Planks

Begin by lying face down and resting your body on your forearms. Next, push yourself up off the floor, rising up onto the tips of your toes and resting on your elbows. The trick is to keep your back in a straight line throughout the exercise, engaging your abdominal muscles and your buttocks. Try to hold the plank position for a full minute, then relax and repeat.

2. Crunches

Crunches are among the best ab exercises that can be done without equipment, and they're easy to do. All you need is enough space to lie down, and a workout mat or other padded surface. Lie flat on your back, bend your knees, and place your feet on the ground, and put your arms behind your head. Once you're in position, sit up and move your abdomen toward your knees. If you repeat a crunch 10 to 20 times a day, you'll be well on your way to a tauter tummy. You can also try a reverse crunch, which involves lying on your back with your hands resting on the floor and then slowly raising your knees toward your chest. Next, point your legs straight up in the air before bending your knees back down toward your chest and then returning to a flat position.

3. Aerobic exercise

While it's great to do routines that work your abs and help to tone the area where the muffin top can develop, it's also vital to have regular cardiovascular workouts. Whether you like jogging in the park or prefer to stick to equipment such as the exercise bike and elliptical machine, as long as you get your heart rate up and your body sweating, you're bound to start shedding unwanted fat from all areas.

4. Burpees

Burpees burn a lot of calories as well as help you to create a more muscular abdominal area. They can be grueling when you first start doing them, but you'll quickly see the benefits and want to keep them as part of your regular routine. Start by standing with your hands behind your head and your elbows out to the sides, placing your feet flat on the ground. Next, do a little jump, bend the knees and drop your body down so that your palms sit flat on the floor. Move your legs back to briefly assume a pushup position, then move them back to the starting pose. Finally, jump back up onto your feet. Do as many burpees as you can tolerate.

The above exercises will help you tone your abs, boosting your fitness and confidence. However, it's also important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink plenty of water.