Best Abs Exercises

This shortlist highlights 51 exercises that target the abs. It is a curated editorial roundup built from movement type, equipment, and difficulty data — not a lab ranking or coaching substitute.

How we chose these exercises

•We group exercises by the attribute a reader is most likely filtering on first, such as target muscle, equipment, or difficulty.
•We favor exercises with clear movement intent and dependable metadata for muscle group, equipment, and difficulty.
•Beginner-friendly movements and low-equipment options are surfaced earlier when the shortlist serves broad training intent.
•This page is a curated editorial ranking rather than a personalized training plan or medical recommendation.

Featured exercises

51 curated exercises for this shortlist.

Crunches on Machine

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Crunches With Cable

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Crunches With Legs Up

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Deadbug

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Incline Plank With Alternate Floor Touch

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

L Hold

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Leg Raises, Standing

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Serratus Anterior

Negative Crunches

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Reverse Plank

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Roman Chair

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Rotary Torso Machine

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Scissors

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Sit-ups

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Supinos

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Ab wheel

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques, Serratus Anterior

Abdominal Draw-In

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

bicycle crunches

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Bird Dog

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Shoulders, Glutes

Cobra Stretch

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Chest

Dynamic Planche

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Front Plank

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques, Chest, Quadriceps

Hanging Leg Raises

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Knee Raises

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Leg raises pull up bar

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques, Quadriceps

Leg Wheel

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Levitation Crunch

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Lying Leg Raise

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Medicine ball booklet crunch

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Plank Reach

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Reverse crunch

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Seated Knee Tuck

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Side plank right

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Sphinx

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Straddle L-Sit

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Lats, Chest, Quadriceps

Toe Taps

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Toes to bar

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

TORSO TWIST

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

TRX roll out

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques, Serratus Anterior

walking bridge

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Shoulders, Biceps, Glutes

2 Handed Kettlebell Swing

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Crunches

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Serratus Anterior

Decline Bench Leg Raise

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Double-Leg Abdominal Press

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Dumbbell Crunches

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Obliques

Flexión lateral

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Incline Crunches

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Kopfüber Gewichtaufheben

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Landmine Rotation

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Leg Raises, Lying

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Serratus Anterior

Suitcase Carry

Category: Isolation
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: None

Tuck L-sit

Category: Compound
Primary Muscle: Abs
Secondary Muscle: Brachialis, Chest, Quadriceps

Training references

wger exercise database API — Source dataset used for exercise names, muscle targets, equipment, and difficulty tags.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best abs exercises?

Best Abs Exercises highlights options such as Crunches on Machine, Crunches With Cable, Crunches With Legs Up. The right pick depends on your training goal, available equipment, and experience level.

How did you choose these abs exercises?

We curated this shortlist using muscle-targeting data, equipment tags, movement type, and difficulty so the page reflects practical training intent.

Should beginners start with every exercise in this abs list?

No. Start with the exercises that match your current technique, mobility, and equipment access, then progress as your form and strength improve.