ABS

1. Sit on the ab machine and select a slight resistance. Position your feet under the pads and grab hold of the top handles.
2. Make sure your arms are bent at 90 degrees and rest your triceps on the pads.
3. Begin lifting your legs up as you engage your abs and crunch your upper torso. Exhale as you do so.
4. Pause and slowly return to starting position as you inhale.

Tip: Use slow, controlled motions and concentrate on using your abs to control the weight. Your feet and legs should be relaxed throughout.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
3. Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
7. Repeat.

1. Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
2. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
3. Keep your elbows in  so that they are parallel to your body.
4. Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
5. Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
6. Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
7. Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
8. Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
9. Return to the start position in a smooth movement.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.

1. Lie on your back. Bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle. Shins should be parallel to the floor. Place your hands behind your head and bring your shoulders off the ground.
2. Exhale and contract your abdominals. Bring your head towards your knees while moving your knees toward your chest.
3. Pause and return to the starting position.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
3. Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
7. Repeat.

1. Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
2. Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
3. Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.

1. Adjust the pulley handle to chest height. Step out and away from the weight. Feet are shoulder-width. Stand with a tight core and flat back. Push the handle out in front of you. Keep elbows slightly bent.
2. Twist from the hips. Move arms across the body, achieving a full extension.
3. Return to starting position.
4. Once complete, do the same amount of sets/reps on the other side.

1. Secure a firm grip with both hands on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by moving the dumbbell up and over towards your right side.
2. Twist your body to bring the dumbbell down and to the left. Bend at the knees and drop your hips slightly. Make the motion of placing the dumbbell on the ground.
3. Repeat the movement, taking the dumbbell back up and overhead. Keep your arms straight throughout.

1. Sit on an exercise mat with your legs fully extended and your upper body upright.
2. Grip a weight plate between both hands.
3. Hold the plate out in front of your abdominals keeping your arms bent slightly.
4. Cross your your ankles and raise them off the floor slightly.
5. Bend your knees towards you slightly.
6. Lean back about 15 degrees to balance your body. This is the start position.
7. In a smooth motion,turn your torso to the left and touch the plate on the floor. Make sure you exhale as you do this.
8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
9. Repeat the same movement, this time to your right side, again exhaling as you do so.
10. Return to start position and repeat.

When performing this exercise, use smooth controlled movements. Jerking or using momentum to swing the weight can cause serious lower back injury.

1. Place your forearms are on the pads or bars of the apparatus you are using and grip the handles or bars. Your arms should be bent at 90 degrees and your upper arms in a straight line with your sides.
2. Your torso should be straight and your lower back pressed against the pad of the bench if using one.
3. Keep your legs extended and pointing down to the floor. This is the start position.
4. Exhale and as you do so, lift your legs up in a smooth arc bending at the knees until your thighs are about parallel to the floor. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position in a smooth, controlled movement while inhaling.
6. Repeat.

Do not use momentum or swing your legs to perform this exercise. As your strength increases, you can rotate your pelvis forward at the top of the movement to engage more of your lower abdominal muscles. You can also keep your legs fully extended throughout the movement to increase the resistance and difficulty of the exercise.

1. Lie flat with hands under your buttocks.
2. Keep your knees together and pull them in towards you while moving your torso towards them (lift your head, neck and shoulders up).
3. Hold and then slowly return to starting position.

1. Stand a dumbbell on one of its plates about 2 feet away from the edge of a bench and sit comfortably on the edge of that bench, using you hand-grip for support. Fully extend your legs towards the dumbbell.
2. Using your amazing foot-eye coordination, pin each foot underneath the top plate of the standing dumbbell, on either side of its bar.
3. Bring your knees in towards your chest, taking care not to drop the dumbbell in the process, and hold them as close as you can to your chest for 1 second.
4. Extend the legs back down towards the floor to the starting position.

1. Assume a push-up position. Core is tight. Back is flat. Hands are underneath the shoulders. Head is in neutral position.
2. Bring one knee up towards your chest and twist towards the opposing elbow. (Ex: Right knee to left elbow.)
3. Contract the core and return the leg to the starting position.
4. Alternate between legs.

1. Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
2. Extend your torso and legs fully behind you with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Your body should be in a straight line, with your weight supported on your hands and toes only.
4. Starting with either leg, flex your knee and hip at the same time to bring your knee up and under your hip. Your other leg should remain fully extended. This is the start position.
5. Using an explosive movement, reverse the position of your legs, by extending the bent leg back and simultaneously flexing the straight leg until it is in the startposition.
6. Continue alternating in this manner for the desire amount of time.

• Standing up straight, bring your hands behind your head so that your elbows are pointed to the sides.
• Twisting your body, bring your left elbow down and across your body. At the same time, raise your right knee up and across to meet the left elbow.
• Return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side and continue alternating.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.

1. Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
2. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
3. Keep your elbows in  so that they are parallel to your body.
4. Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
5. Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
6. Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
7. Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
8. Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
9. Return to the start position in a smooth movement.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
3. Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
7. Repeat.

1. Lay on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your back flat on the floor and your legs straight and in the air with the soles of your feet facing up.
2. Outstretch your arms above your chest so that they run parallel to your legs.
3. Lifting your shoulders off the floor, reach up and touch your toes with your fingertips.
4. Lower your shoulders back to the floor to complete one rep.

1. Stand straight, your feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in your left hand with your palm facing in to your body.
2. Place your right hand on your waist, palm facing in. This is the start position.
3. Keeping your back and head straight, bend only from your waist to the right. Inhale as you bend.
4. Continue as far as possible, then hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position, exhaling as you do so.
6. Repeat the movement this time bending to the left and returning to the start position.
7. Complete all repetitions holding the dumbbell with your left hand before changing hands.

This exercise can be performed with a kettlebell or a plate weight.

1. Lie on a padded surface on your left side. Stack your legs and bring your right hand behind your head. Lie your left arm in front of you or across your body. Brace your core.
2. Pulling from the obliques, bring your elbow up and towards your feet. Do NOT pull yourself with your hand.
3. Pause and feel the contraction in your obliques then slowly return to the starting position.

1. Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
2. Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
3. Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat, extending your arms straight back behind your head.
2. Fully extend your legs also. This is the start position.
3. Bend at your waist and at the same time, raise your legs and arms to meet in a closed jackknife position. Exhale as you do this.
4. At this point, your legs should remain fully extended at between 35-45 degrees from the floor.
5. Your arms should be fully extended, parallel to your legs.
6. Your upper body should be raised off the floor.
7. Return to the start position by lowering your arms and legs back to the floor, exhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

1. Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
2. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
3. Keep your elbows in  so that they are parallel to your body.
4. Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
5. Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
6. Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
7. Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
8. Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
9. Return to the start position in a smooth movement.

1. Position yourself on a decline bench so that your feet are secured by the pads. Lay back and place your arms across your chest or behind your head.
2. Begin the movement by pulling yourself up by your abdominals. Do not force yourself up by pulling on your neck. Let your abs do all the work.
3. Once at the top, slowly lower yourself back down. Again, focus on the abs doing all of the work. Repeat by bringing yourself back up.

1. Kneel in front of a cable station with a rope attachment connected to the top pulley.
2. Grip the rope attachment and place your wrists against your forehead.
3. Flex your hips slightly to take the weight and to hyperextend your lower back.
4. Keeping your hips stationary, bend at the waist so that your elbows travel down towards the middle of  your thighs. Hold for a count of one.
5.  Return to the start position in a controlled movement and repeat.

1. Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
2. Hold a plate, dumbbell, kettlebell, or medicine ball securely above your head.
3. Keep your elbows locked.
4. Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
5. Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
6. Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
7. Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
8. Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
9. Return to the start position in a smooth movement.

Make sure the weight is held very securely!

1. Lie face up on with a medicine ball between your hands and your arms extended behind you. Keep your arms and legs straight and then raise your feet an inch off the floor.
2. Raise your torso and legs up at the same time and touch the medicine call to your feet. Hold for a moment.
3. Lower down to starting position with arms and ball behind your head.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat, extending your arms straight back behind your head.
2. Fully extend your legs also. This is the start position.
3. Bend at your waist and at the same time, raise your legs and arms to meet in a closed jackknife position. Exhale as you do this.
4. At this point, your legs should remain fully extended at between 35-45 degrees from the floor.
5. Your arms should be fully extended, parallel to your legs.
6. Your upper body should be raised off the floor.
7. Return to the start position by lowering your arms and legs back to the floor, exhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

1. Lie on your back on a mat with hands under your lower buttocks on either side to support your pelvis.
2. Legs straight out in front of you, ankles together and feet slightly off the floor.
3. Keep your knees straight and raise your legs by flexing the hips until they are completely flexed.
4. Return to starting position.

1. Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
2. Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
3. Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.

1. Lie flat with hands under your buttocks.
2. Keep your knees together and pull them in towards you while moving your torso towards them (lift your head, neck and shoulders up).
3. Hold and then slowly return to starting position.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor.
2. Extend your legs fully and place your hands palms down, flat on the floor beside you.
3. Keeping your feet together, draw your knees up towards your chest, until your thighs are at 90 degrees to the floor and your calves are parallel to it. This is the start position.
4. As you inhale, curl your hips up off the floor while bringing your knees further towards your chest.
5. Continue the movement until your knees are touching your chest, or as far as comfortable.
6. Hold for a count of one.
7. In a controlled movement, return your legs to the start position, exhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

• Lie on your back on a flat bench.
• Reach overhead and grab the top of the bench with both hands.
• Brace your abdominal muscles.
• Straighten your legs and lift them up. Stop when they are above parallel.
• Contract your abdominals as you bend your knees and bring your legs up and towards the top of the bench.
• Pause then slowly release your legs to the starting position, making sure to keep the contraction in your abdominals.

1. Lie on your back on a mat with hands under your lower buttocks on either side to support your pelvis.
2. Legs straight out in front of you, ankles together and feet slightly off the floor.
3. Keep your knees straight and raise your legs by flexing the hips until they are completely flexed.
4. Return to starting position.

1. Lie flat with hands under your buttocks.
2. Keep your knees together and pull them in towards you while moving your torso towards them (lift your head, neck and shoulders up).
3. Hold and then slowly return to starting position.

1. Lie on an exercise mat and place your feet your under something that will not move or ask a spotter hold them down for you. Keep your knees bent.
2. Raise your upper body from the mat to form V-shape with your thighs.
3. Keep your arms fully extended in front of your chest, clasping your hands together.This is the start position.
4. In a smooth motion, twist your upper body to the right until you feel a stretch in your back and sides. Keep your arms parallel to the floor and exhale as you do this. Hold for a count of one and inhale.
5. Return to the start position while breathing out.
6. Repeat the movement,this time to the left side of your body.
7. Repeat.

As your strength increases, you can hold a weight plate or medicine ball in front of you to increase resistance and engage other muscle groups.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
3. Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
7. Repeat.

1. Sit on an exercise mat with your legs fully extended and your upper body upright.
2. Grip a weight plate between both hands.
3. Hold the plate out in front of your abdominals keeping your arms bent slightly.
4. Cross your your ankles and raise them off the floor slightly.
5. Bend your knees towards you slightly.
6. Lean back about 15 degrees to balance your body. This is the start position.
7. In a smooth motion,turn your torso to the left and touch the plate on the floor. Make sure you exhale as you do this.
8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
9. Repeat the same movement, this time to your right side, again exhaling as you do so.
10. Return to start position and repeat.

When performing this exercise, use smooth controlled movements. Jerking or using momentum to swing the weight can cause serious lower back injury.

1. Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
2. Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
3. Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
4. Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
5. Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
6. As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
7. After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
9. Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.

Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.

1. Lie on an exercise mat, keeping your back flat with no arching of the spine.
2. Extend your arms out beside you at shoulder level, with your palms pressed firmly to the floor. Your upper body should form a “T” shape.
3. Raise your feet off the floor by bending your hips and knees to 90 degree angles. This is the start position.
4. As you exhale, rotate both your thighs to one side until the outer thigh touches the ground or until you feel a stretch in your abs and lower back.
5. Pause briefly, then rotate to the other side without pausing in the start position.
6. When you have rotated to both sides, that is one repetition.
7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

This exercise has 3 levels of difficulty: Beginner – with the knees and hip bent as described above; intermediate – feet up with knees at 90 degrees but the hips remaining in a neutral position; advanced –legs straight and hips bent at 90 degrees so your body forms an “L”.

1. Lie on your back on a mat with hands under your lower buttocks on either side to support your pelvis.
2. Legs straight out in front of you, ankles together and feet slightly off the floor.
3. Keep your knees straight and raise your legs by flexing the hips until they are completely flexed.
4. Return to starting position.

1. Stand with your side to the cable machine. Grab the handle with the opposing hand first. Keep a flat back and tight core throughout the movement. Squat down by bending your knees and driving your hips back.
2. Keeping your feet in position, rise and twist the weight to the opposite side of your body.
3. Pause, contract the muscle and slowly return to the starting position.

1. Adjust the pulley lever to be above you. Stand next to a pulley machine with your left side. Grab the handle with both hands. Brace your core and separate your feet to outside of shoulder width.
2. Begin the movement by twisting with your obliques to pull the handle down and across your body.
3. Once the handle is on the right side of your body, pause and slowly return the handle to the starting position.

1. Secure a firm grip with both hands on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by moving the dumbbell up and over towards your right side.
2. Twist your body to bring the dumbbell down and to the left. Bend at the knees and drop your hips slightly. Make the motion of placing the dumbbell on the ground.
3. Repeat the movement, taking the dumbbell back up and overhead. Keep your arms straight throughout.

1. Stand with your feet no wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball with one hand at either side in front of your chest.
2. Rotate your body from the waist up to the left side and raise the medicine ball over your left shoulder, not quite fully extending your arms. Be sure to get extra reach by pointing your right toe.
3. Using a chopping motion, bring the ball diagonally across the front of your body so that the ball ends on the outer side of your right shin.
4. Bring the ball straight up the right side of your body and again move diagonally across your body once again to complete the motion.