Because the abdomen has many different muscles, the best way to tone up this area is to perform several different types of exercises, including:

Leg Raises 

1. Lie on your back with your legs extended straight up. 
2. Rest your arms by your sides or underneath your buttocks. 
3. Keeping your lower back on the floor, lower your legs slowly to a 45-degree angle, then return your legs to the starting position for a count of 5 seconds. 
4. For beginners, do one set of 8 - 10 repetitions.
5. If you're more experienced, do 2 - 3 sets of 8 - 10 repetitions each.

Side Twist 

1. Lie on your back with your hips and knees bent at a 90 degree angle.
2. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows on the floor. 
3. Bring your right elbow toward your left knee and extend your right leg at the same time. (You should be bending from the waist with your left elbow on the ground). 
4. Hold for 1 second, then return to the starting position. Complete the set on one side before you go to the other side. 
5. For beginners, do one set of 4 - 6 repetitions. 
6. If you're more experienced, do 2 - 3 sets of 4 - 6 repetitions each.

More Exercise Ideas

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