The 8 Best Ab Exercises to Level Up Your Core Workout

This classic move is great for targeting your obliques. You can do it with your bodyweight alone or add a dumbbell or medicine ball to increase the challenge.

1. Holding a dumbbell in both hands, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your heels about a foot from your butt. You can also make the move more advanced by lifting your feet three or four inches off the floor, as pictured.
2. Lean slightly back without rounding your spine at all. It is really important, and difficult, to keep your back straight.
3. Pull your navel to your spine, and twist slowly to the left, bringing the weight to your left side. Keep the movement slow and controlled; focus on your ribs rotating, not your arms swinging.
4. Inhale to return to the center, then rotate to the right. That's one rep.
5. Do three sets of 12 to 15 reps.