When it comes to working out, there’s one universal truth: everybody wants abs. Those elusive, Instagram-ready muscles are the holy grail of fitness. But ask ten people how to get them, and you’ll get ten wildly different answers. Crunches, planks, Russian twists, ab rollers—what’s the best move?
Spoiler alert: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The “best” abdominal exercise depends on your goals, your fitness level, and whether you’re secretly hoping for a workout that doesn’t make you hate life. Let’s break it down, shall we?
If You’re Just Starting Out: Keep It Simple
First things first—abs aren’t made in a day, and they certainly aren’t made with exercises that feel like medieval torture. If you’re a beginner, start with the basics: crunches and planks.
Crunches are the OG ab move. Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat, and lift your shoulders off the ground. Yes, it’s as simple as it sounds, but it works. Targeting the upper abs, crunches are a solid starting point—just don’t yank on your neck or you’ll spend more time rubbing your sore muscles than using them.
Planks, on the other hand, are the quiet killer. Holding yourself up on your forearms and toes might sound easy—until your abs start quivering like Jell-O at a picnic. Planks don’t just target your core; they work your shoulders, glutes, and mental toughness, too.
If You’re Intermediate: Up the Challenge
So you’ve graduated from basic crunches? Congratulations, your abs are ready for something spicier. Enter: the bicycle crunch.
This dynamic move hits both the upper and lower abs while throwing in some oblique action. Lie on your back, lift your legs, and mimic a cycling motion while bringing your opposite elbow to your knee. It’s basically a full ab workout in one movement, and if you do it right, you’ll feel the burn immediately.
For something less bouncy but equally brutal, try leg raises. Lying flat, raise your legs to a 90-degree angle and lower them slowly without letting them touch the ground. It’s simple, effective, and guaranteed to make you question your life choices.
If You’re Advanced: Go Hardcore or Go Home
Ready to take your abs to the next level? Grab an ab roller or find a pull-up bar.
The ab wheel rollout is not for the faint of heart—or weak of core. Kneeling on the floor, roll the wheel forward until your torso nearly touches the ground, then roll back up. Your abs will scream, but that’s how you know it’s working.
Hanging leg raises are another beast. Hang from a bar, then lift your legs straight out in front of you. Not only does this annihilate your lower abs, but it also demands serious grip strength and stability. If you’re feeling fancy, add a twist at the top to target those obliques.
What Really Matters? Consistency and Diet
Before you start throwing yourself into a frenzy of ab exercises, let’s have some real talk. The best ab exercise in the world won’t give you a six-pack if you’re not consistent or if your diet is, well, trash. Abs are built in the gym, but they’re revealed in the kitchen.
That doesn’t mean you need to live on chicken and broccoli, but if you’re chasing visible abs, think about cleaning up your diet. Protein, veggies, and a reasonable calorie deficit will go further than a million crunches ever could.
The Verdict
There’s no magical ab exercise, but there’s definitely one that works best for you right now. Start where you are, challenge yourself, and don’t forget that your core isn’t just for looks—it’s what keeps you standing upright and prevents you from throwing out your back every time you lift a laundry basket.
So, what’s the best ab exercise? The one you’ll actually do. Just don’t forget to enjoy the journey—and maybe flex in the mirror a little when no one’s looking. You’ve earned it.
