Best exercise: Do these 5 easy standing ab workouts for a flat and toned belly

How to get a flat belly: Include the Standing Knee-to-Elbow Crunches in your fitness routine (Image: Canva)

A flat and toned belly is a fitness goal that many of us chase after. Spot reduction is a common myth, but regular exercise combined with a balanced diet strengthens your core muscles, leading to a more toned abdominal area. While traditional floor exercises are effective in getting a flatter midsection, sometimes, you may find yourself in a situation where you can't hit the gym. That's where standing exercises come to the rescue!

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Standing ab exercises are easily functional and mimic everyday routine activities. You can move through all three planes of motion with standing ab exercises and help strengthen the muscles. These workouts also work on your core connection and improve your overall balance. Allow us to introduce you to five easy standing ab workouts that can help you work towards achieving that flat belly, from anywhere, at any time:

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1. Standing Knee-to-Elbow Crunches:

• Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart.
• Place your hands behind your head, elbows out to the sides.
• Lift your right knee up and bring your right elbow down so they meet each other.
• Return to the starting position.
• Alternate sides, bringing your left knee to your left elbow.
• Repeat this motion for 10-15 reps on each side.

2. Standing Side Crunches:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms by your sides.
• Raise your right arm overhead, keeping it straight.
• Lift your right knee towards your right elbow while bending your torso to the right.
• Return to the starting position.
• Perform 10-15 reps on each side.

3. Standing Oblique Twists:

• Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Extend your arms straight in front of you, palms together.
• Rotate your torso to the right, bringing your hands towards your right hip.
• Return to the center and then twist to the left.
• Repeat this movement for 15-20 reps on each side.

• Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart.
• Place your hands on your hips or hold onto a stable surface for balance.
• Lift your right leg straight out in front of you, engaging your core.
• Lower it back down without letting it touch the ground.
• Perform 10-15 reps on each leg.

5. Standing Bicycle Crunches:

How to get a flat belly: Include Standing Bicycle Crunches in your fitness routine (Image: Canva)

• Stand with feet hip-width apart with your hands behind the head, elbows on the sides.
• Lift your right knee towards your chest while twisting your torso.
• Bring your left elbow towards your right knee.
• Extend your right leg back down while returning your torso to the center.
• Repeat this motion on the other side, bringing your left knee towards your chest and your right elbow towards your left knee.
• Continue alternating sides for 10-15 reps on each side.

• Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell end to end. Start in a squat position with your chest lifted, your abs tight, and the dumbbell to your right hip.
• Stand up and swing the dumbbell up overhead over the left shoulder while contracting your abs.
• Return to the starting squat position.
• Repeat on the other side.

• Stand with your legs hip-width apart.  Raise both arms up and clasp your hands overhead. Slightly soften your knees and contract your abs.
• Bend forward at the hips and slowly draw a full circle with your body.
• After several circles, one way, change directions.