All want a toned, flat stomach. No surprise there. But since many of us are still relying on crunches to get it, we want to make one thing clear – Crunches are not the most effective abs workout. They only work a small set of abdominal muscles, so they burn fewer calories. To improve your ab definition, you need to perform exercises that move larger muscles, and thus burn more calories. Lowering your body fat, along with building muscle will help you show those abs.

Here are 10 abs exercises, from simple to killer that will keep your daily core workouts interesting!

Squats

Squat is a full body exercise. Squatting with proper posture strengthens the muscles surrounding your knees and lower back. This will make your knees and lower back stronger and healthier. You can perform squats by bending through your hips and knees, until hips come lower than your knees. You should perform 3-5 sets of 10-15 repetitions each.

Push up

Push-ups are one of those exercises that can be done anytime. If you can't do them, try half-pushups or knee pushups. They strengthen upper body muscles and make you versatile while improving your shoulder health. They should be performed correctly; otherwise they can cause lower back injuries.

Plank

Plank is an exercise for abdominal muscles. It is also called front hold or abdominal bridge. It is one of the best exercises because it tightens the deepest core muscles. You should hold this position for at least 30-40 seconds and perform 3 repetitions.

Reverse plank

The reverse plank strengthens and stabilizes the abdominals, particularly the lower abs. It can be done for 15 to 30 seconds at a time to really focus on that core.

Mountain climber

Mountain climber strengthens multiple groups of muscles in addition to the cardiovascular system. It improves heart rate and increases intensity of your cardio workouts. 3-4 sets of 15-20 repetitions should be done to get good results.

Kneeling side kick

Kneeling sidekicks targets hip area maximum. It helps in toning of hips and strengthening of your lower back. You should perform 3-5 sets 10-15 repetitions each.

Inch worm

The inchworm is an exercise that works on the whole upper body i.e. on arms, chest, abdomen, upper and lower back. It is performed by moving body in up-and-down motion like a worm moving across a flat surface.

Bear crawl

The bear crawl is a great total body exercise for strength training and improving body control. It includes multi-joint movements that engage the entire body. It helps you in balancing, coordination, strength, and agility.

Seal Jumps

Seal Jumps are an excellent cardiovascular exercise. It increases your heart rate, and includes full body movement. Your legs, arms and core are all working during this movement (by tracy). You can perform 3-5 sets of 10-15 repetitions each.

Jumping planks

The plank jack is a great cardio move. It raises the heart rate while working both your lower and upper body. You can perform 3-5 sets of 10-15 repetitions each.

Try these exercise at home to show off your toned washboard abs. ;)