Steps to Stronger Abs
Get-Fit Guy’s tips on how to get stronger abs without crunches!
Ben Greenfield
Q. Crunches aren’t making my stomach stronger anymore. What now? A. While crunches are indeed a wonderful beginner’s exercise for strengthening the stomach, and even a good “warm-up” exercise for preparing for more rigorous abdominal exercises, they can become easy after your body has grown accustomed to them. So try these plank variations instead.
-
Front Planks: Get into a push-up position, then drop onto your forearms and elbows. Hold that position as long as possible, or try tapping the feet up and down.
-
Side Planks: From a front plank position, roll onto your side, with both feet stacked and your body weight supported on just one forearm instead of both.
-
Stability Ball Corkscrew: Rather than trying to explain this one to you, I’m just going to show you a video of me performing the exercise.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Ben Greenfield received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology; personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); a sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), an advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta. He has over 11 years’ experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports, and as helped hundreds of clients achieve weight loss and fitness success.