A nice, tight tummy whether it be flat or sculpted into abs is one of the most sought after and requested things when it comes to working out and exercising. Working your core and abs provides a strong foundation for your body and will keep you looking fit. These exercises require no equipment so you can do them anywhere: at home, the gym, at work, your hotel room etc.

Keep in mind that along with the workout, proper nutrition is necessary to maintain tight abs. This generally means less carbs and fats and more protein. Incorporating cardio 2 – 3 times a week will also help trim your extra calories and in turn your extra belly fat.

Because your abs are used so often to keep your body up, they are inherently strong muscles that recover quickly. For this reason you can do this exercise every day if you want to, however 2 – 5 times a week will give you great results.

Exercise no. 1

Pulse Ups

4 sets of 8-15 reps

  1. Lay flat on your back on the floor with your arms flat on the floor to either side of you. Your arms should be slightly out from your body.
  2. Raise both of your legs straight into the air so that they’re at a 90 degree angle from your body. If it’s tough to keep your legs straight, you can bend them slightly. This is your starting position.
  3. Now using your core/abs pulse your legs into the air as high as you can. Your butt should come off the ground.
  4. Now lower your butt/legs back to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired amount of reps.
Exercise no. 2

Side Jack Knives

4 sets of 8-15 reps on each side

  1. Get down on the floor and lay on your right side. Place your right arm out in front of you in a V shape, so that your upper arm rests flat on the floor and your hand is touching the left side of your stomach. Place your left hand behind your head so it makes a V shape with your elbow out to your left side.
  2. Now exhale and lift your left leg straight up into the air while lifting your torso up into the air. Try to get your left elbow as close to your left leg as possible. Your body will make almost V shape in the middle of the motion.
  3. Bring your body back down to its starting position.
  4. Repeat for the desired number of reps, then switch to your left side and repeat.
Exercise no. 3

Alternating Arm and Leg Raises

4 sets of 8-15 reps on each arm/leg

  1. Get down onto the ground in push up position. Your back should be straight and your body should be held up with your hands and toes.
  2. Keep you head forward and raise your right arm and left leg straight up into the air. Your right arm and left leg should now be slightly higher than shoulder width.
  3. Bring your arm and leg down to starting position.
  4. Now raise your left arm and right leg straight up into the air. Your left arm and right leg should now be slightly higher than shoulder width.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of reps.
Exercise no. 4

Plank Jacks

4 sets of 8-15 jacks

  1. Get down onto the floor in plank position. Your body should be supported by your forearms and your toes – almost like you’re doing a pushup but instead of supporting with your hands, support yourself by laying your forearms flat on the ground.
  2. Similar to doing a jumping jack quickly move back feet out to either side of your body.
  3. Now slide them back to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of reps.
Exercise no. 5

Wall Sits

Hold 4 times for 1-2 minutes

  1. Place your back flat against a flat, study wall. Come down into a sitting position so your body is almost like a chair, with your torso perpendicular to the ground and your hamstring parallel to the floor. Your feet should be flat and legs at a 90 degree angle.
  2. Place your hands out diagonally downwards on each side against the wall for additional support.
  3. Hold this position for the desired amount of time.
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Exercise no. 6

Alternating Leg Lifts

4 sets of 10 reps

Leg lifts are a great way to build core and ab strength.

  1. Start by laying down on the floor with your hands under your glutes. You can also use a bench by laying down with your legs hanging off. This will add resistance and challenge you during the movement.
  2. Keeping your legs as straight as possible, left one legs up until it’s perpendicular to the floor
  3. Hold for a second before bringing this leg back to your starting position. Switch then repeat with your other leg to complete one rep.

Linda Piyawadhanachai

I first got into weight lifting when I got hired into an office job. I found myself eating junk food and fast food all the time. I knew if I kept this up, I would later regret it in the future. I wanted to make a change and want to help others make a change too!
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Kiyan Sheikh

My goal is to inspire others to reach their fitness goals and become a confident, better version of themselves. Being fit doesn’t just mean going from fatty to lean, people that are lean also need help increasing things like their cardio or endurance.
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