Best exercises for flat stomach: Ditch the crunches, add these 7 exercises to your workout routine

How to do Bicycle Kicks exercise: Lie on your back, bring your knees up, and pedal as you touch the elbow to the opposite knee (Image: Canva)

You dream of a flat, toned stomach, right? But actually, so many crunches aren’t the only, or the most effective, root to that goal. Crunches emphasise the abdominals, but they can also stress the neck and lower back, and don't work your core fully. Crunches and sit-ups will definitely not do it the real way; they will only cause your tummy to flatten temporarily because what you need are core-strength workouts that engage your stomach and belly and burn fat.

Not only do strong core muscles look good, they are essential for balance and stability and injury prevention. Fitness experts say you can get better benefits than crunches with a combination of strength, stability, and functional movements. These exercises repeat more than one muscle institution at a time to assist burn fat, shrink your waistline, and improve your health level.

7 best exercises for core muscles

Mumbai-based fitness trainer Marchelle D'Souza suggests the following simple, but no less effective, exercises that target the transverse abdominis without the need for a single crunch.

1. Plank Hold

The plank exercise targets the entire core including abs, back, and obliques. From a push-up position, enter a straight body line and hold for 30–60 seconds.

2. Bicycle Kicks

Lie on your back, bring your knees up, and pedal as you touch the elbow to the opposite knee. It works on your bliques and lower abs.

3. Leg Raises

Lay down flat, raise your limbs slowly without bending knees, place it down while avoiding anything from touching the soil. Great for lower abs.

4. Mountain Climbers

Begin in a plank and then pull your knees into your chest as fast as possible, one at a time. This also is a cardio exercise to lose fat.

5. Standing Side Crunches

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, then raise one knee to the side and bring your elbow down to the knee. It strengthens the obliques and enhances balance.

6. Russian Twists

Sitting and more reclined, keeping your hands together or one hand up with a weight, twist your torso from side to side. Targets oblique and strengthens the core.

7. Dead Bug Exercise

Start on your back in an arms and legs raised position and slow lower the opposite arm and leg. It requires deep core muscles for stability.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Combine these exercises with the right diet, and you will lose fat.
• Do 3–4 sets of each move for 15 reps, 4–5 days a week.
• Be consistent and combine with cardio to get quick results.