The 15 best exercises to work your abs

Why add ab exercises to your workout routine?

Adding ab exercises to your workout is a great way to move more efficiently and with better control. Your abs play a key role in stabilizing your body, maintaining proper posture, and supporting every movement, whether at the gym or in your daily routine.

By including the best exercises in your routine, you can gradually strengthen your core and improve your coordination. The result: you feel stronger, more stable, and more comfortable in all your workouts.

The 15 best ab exercises to do at the gym

1. Crunch

The ab crunch is one of the most accessible exercises for building core strength. It mainly targets the upper abs and allows you to move in a controlled way while maintaining proper posture.

1. Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor
2. Place your hands behind your head or crossed over your chest
3. Keep your lower back in contact with the floor
4. Slightly lift your shoulders by contracting your abs
5. Lower yourself slowly without fully releasing the tension
6. Repeat the movement in a controlled way

2. Leg Raise

The leg raise is one of the core exercises that effectively targets the lower abdominal area. It requires control and helps strengthen this muscle group while improving your overall stability.

1. Lie on your back with your legs straight and arms at your sides
2. Place your hands under your hips if you need support
3. Keep your legs straight and lift them toward the ceiling
4. Raise them until your body forms a right angle
5. Lower them slowly without letting your feet touch the floor
6. Keep your abs engaged throughout the movement

3. Plank

The plank is one of the most effective abdominal exercises to build a strong core. It engages your entire core and helps you maintain proper posture by improving overall stability through coordinated arm and leg positioning.

1. Get into a face-down position, resting on your forearms and toes
2. Align your shoulders with your elbows
3. Keep your body straight without arching your lower back
4. Engage your abs and glutes
5. Hold the position while breathing steadily
6. Avoid letting your hips drop or rise too high

4. Bicycle Crunch

The bicycle crunch is one of the exercises that target both your abdominal muscles and obliques. It is ideal for adding variety and engaging multiple muscles at the same time while helping reduce the risk of back pain when done with control.

1. Lie on your back with your hands behind your head
2. Slightly lift your shoulders off the floor
3. Bend your knees and bring one knee toward your chest while rotating your torso
4. Move the opposite elbow toward the knee
5. Alternate sides in a smooth motion
6. Keep the movement controlled without pulling on your neck

5. Mountain Climber

The mountain climber is a full-body exercise that targets your ab muscles through dynamic movement. It is often included in lower ab exercises and helps improve your core strength while increasing the pace of your workout.

1. Get into a plank position with your arms straight
2. Keep your body aligned and your abs engaged
3. Bring one knee toward your chest
4. Quickly alternate with the other leg
5. Maintain a steady pace while staying in control
6. Avoid moving your upper body to stay stable

6. Russian Twist

The russian twist is an effective exercise to train your abs, especially the obliques, while also engaging the hip flexors. It helps develop core strength and stability while improving trunk rotation and control.

1. Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet slightly lifted
2. Lean your upper body slightly back while keeping your back straight
3. Keep your hands together in front of you or hold a light weight
4. Rotate your torso from side to side
5. Control the movement without going too fast
6. Keep your abs engaged from start to finish

7. Hanging Leg Raise

The hanging leg raise is a more advanced exercise that intensely targets the lower abs. It requires strength and control while engaging your core for stability.

1. Hang from a bar with your arms fully extended
2. Keep your shoulders stable and your body still
3. Lift your legs forward, keeping them slightly bent or straight
4. Raise them until your body forms a right angle
5. Lower them slowly without swinging
6. Control the movement to avoid jerking

8. Stability Ball Crunch

The stability ball crunch helps strengthen your abs with a greater range of motion. It also improves balance while engaging your core.

1. Sit on a stability ball and slowly roll forward until your lower back is supported
2. Place your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart
3. Put your hands behind your head or crossed over your chest
4. Contract your abs to slightly lift your upper body
5. Lower yourself slowly while staying in control
6. Maintain good stability throughout the exercise

9. Side Plank

The side plank is an excellent exercise for targeting your obliques and strengthening core stability. It helps improve balance while working your abs in depth.

1. Lie on your side with your legs extended
2. Place your elbow directly under your shoulder
3. Lift your hips to align your body
4. Keep your body straight without leaning forward or backward
5. Engage your abs and hold the position
6. Breathe steadily throughout the exercise

10. Dead Bug

The dead bug is a controlled exercise that helps strengthen your abs while protecting your lower back. It is ideal for improving coordination and stability.

1. Lie on your back with your arms extended toward the ceiling
2. Bend your legs at 90 degrees above your hips
3. Keep your lower back in contact with the floor
4. Slowly lower one arm and the opposite leg
5. Return to the starting position
6. Alternate sides while keeping the movement slow and controlled

11. Toe Touch

The toe touch is a simple exercise that mainly targets the upper abs. It helps strengthen your core while keeping the movement accessible.

1. Lie on your back with your legs extended toward the ceiling
2. Keep your arms extended toward your feet
3. Lift your shoulders to reach toward your toes
4. Keep your abs engaged at the top of the movement
5. Lower yourself slowly without fully releasing
6. Repeat while controlling each repetition

12. Sit-Up

The sit-up is a classic exercise that works your entire core. It helps build trunk strength while improving movement control.

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor
2. Place your hands behind your head or crossed over your chest
3. Keep your feet firmly on the ground
4. Lift your upper body until you reach a seated position
5. Lower yourself slowly in a controlled way
6. Avoid pulling on your neck and keep your abs engaged

13. Plank with Movement

Plank with movement helps strengthen your overall stability while engaging multiple muscles at the same time.

1. Get into a plank position with your arms straight
2. Keep your body well aligned
3. Slowly move one hand forward or to the side
4. Bring it back to the starting position
5. Alternate with the other hand
6. Keep your hips stable throughout the movement

14. Reverse Crunch

The reverse crunch mainly targets the lower abs. It is ideal for strengthening your core while focusing on control.

1. Lie on your back with your arms at your sides
2. Bend your legs at 90 degrees
3. Bring your knees toward your chest while slightly lifting your hips
4. Contract your abs at the top of the movement
5. Lower yourself slowly without dropping your legs
6. Keep the movement smooth and controlled

15. Hollow Hold

The hollow hold is a static exercise that deeply engages your abs. It helps improve core stability and control.

1. Lie on your back with your arms extended overhead
2. Slightly lift your shoulders and legs off the floor
3. Keep your lower back in contact with the ground
4. Hold your body in a tight, engaged position
5. Breathe in a controlled way
6. Maintain the position without releasing your abs

How to include ab exercises in your routine at Éconofitness

Working your abs is all about improving your stability, control, and comfort in every movement. With these simple and accessible exercises, you can progress gradually and strengthen your core without overcomplicating your workout.

And to train at your own pace and on your own schedule, Éconofitness memberships (Weekend, Écono, Platine, and Extra) give you the flexibility you need to progress at your own tempo.