The 10 Best Ab Exercises to Strengthen Your Core

Leg raises are a great exercise for all levels. It strengthens both your transversus and rectus abdominals. "It's a great exercise for beginners and it also doesn't take many reps to feel your core working deeply," Brandenberg says.

1. Start lying on your back with your arms behind your head (shown here) or by your side with palms faced down.
2. Lift both legs up to the ceiling.
3. Keep your legs straight, inhale lower them forward to 45°.
4. Exhale lift your legs back up without using momentum.
5. Repeat slowly for one set of 10

Note: If you begin to arch your back, only lower your legs to the point your back remains grounded.

Modifications:

1. Place your hands underneath your sacrum for support.
2. Make a diamond with your legs by bringing your heels together and opening your knees apart to relax your hamstrings and hip flexors.