Whether You're a Cute Cat or Sexy Nurse, Here Are 3 Flat-Ab Moves

If you often do traditional crunches, try bumping up the intensity with toe touches. The challenge here is trying not to bend your knees to fully target your upper abs. Follow these easy steps:

• Lie on your back on the floor. Raise your arms to your ears or directly above your chest.
• Without lifting your hips from the ground, raise your legs, holding them there throughout the set.
• Use your abs to slowly curl your shoulders off the ground, bringing your fingertips to your toes. Now slowly lower your shoulders to the ground, pausing at the starting position to complete one rep. Don't use your neck as momentum to make the motion.
• Do 20 reps.

A traditional elbow plank offers total-body tone and is a great way to target your entire middle. There are many variations to challenge your plank, but first master the basic elbow plank following these steps:

• Start on the floor resting on your forearms and knees.
• Step your feet out one at a time, coming into a plank position.
• Contract your abs to prevent your booty from sticking up or sinking. Your spine should be parallel to the floor, with your abs pulling toward the ceiling.
• Hold for 30 seconds; work your way up to one minute as you build strength.

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The 10 Best Bodyweight Exercises For Beginners