{"id":62857,"date":"2023-04-21T14:59:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T18:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/?p=62857"},"modified":"2025-04-21T15:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T19:55:38","slug":"best-ab-exercises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/best-ab-exercises\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Best Exercises for Abs, From a CPT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve got a bone to pick with ab exercises: They\u2019re usually boring. Unfortunately, exercising your abs is a bit like eating your vegetables. It\u2019s tedious, but necessary \u2014 this goes for both appearances and<\/em> performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we aren\u2019t entirely sold on the idea that your ab workouts<\/a> have<\/em> to be dull as a doorknob. In fact, you might just be performing the wrong moves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The right ab-training exercises can both sculpt and strengthen your core<\/strong> while also being dynamic, engaging, and fulfilling to perform,” says Jake Dickson, BarBend<\/em> Senior Writer and certified personal trainer. Want to know what the best ab exercises really are? Here are a dozen of our go-to\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 Best Ab Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Ab Rollout<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Weighted Plank<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Hollow Hold<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Cable Crunch<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Sit-Up<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Hanging Knee Raise<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Farmer\u2019s Carry<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Side Plank<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Plank<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Dead Bug<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Mountain Climber<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Bird Dog<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Editor\u2019s Note: <\/em>The content on <\/em><\/strong>BarBend <\/strong>is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice<\/em><\/strong>. When starting a new training regimen and\/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and\/or treatment of health problems. They are not substitutes for consulting a qualified medical professional.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Meet the Experts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This article was originally written by Mike Dewar<\/strong>, CSCS<\/a>, weightlifter and strength & conditioning coach who founded J2FIT. Alex Polish<\/strong><\/a> is BarBend<\/em>\u2019s Editor, a certified personal trainer (through the American Council on Exercise), and is certified in Kettlebell Athletics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jake Dickson<\/strong><\/a>, BarBend<\/em>\u2018s Senior Writer, verified this article. Dickson holds a B.S. in Exercise Science, as well as a CPT-NASM certification and USAW-L2 weightlifting certification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We also recruited BarBend<\/em> Expert Gianna Masi<\/a> for her input. Masi is a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What Muscles Make Up the Abs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Your core contains multiple muscles, and understanding what they are and how they work is important in obtaining a stronger, better-looking midsection. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the major core muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Abdominal
    Credit: Satyrenko \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n