3 Lower Ab Exercises That Aren't Worth Your Time — and 5 To Try Instead

Struggling to target yourlower abs? You're probably training the wrong way, saysGeoff Tripp, CSCS, certified personal trainer and head of fitness atTrainiac. While certain exercises can help you achieve a tighter core, there's no magic move that can specifically blast lower belly fat.

That's because targeted fat loss, otherwise known asspot reduction, is a myth, according to the一个merican Council on Exercise(ACE). In other words, isolated, ab-focused exercises like crunches won't result in fat loss in your midsection. Additionally, your lower abs aren't a separate muscle group that you can isolate, the term simply refers to the lower portion of your rectus abdominis (your "six-pack muscles").

But don't be discouraged, though. You can still attain stronger, leaner lower abs through a smart training strategy (in conjunction with a healthy eating plan). Here, Tripp shares three ineffective lowerab moves to avoid, plus five exercises to do instead.

People think flutter kicks work their lower abs, but, if not performed properly, this move does two things: wears out your hip flexors and places excess strain on your back, Tripp says.

Double ouch! This can be particularly problematic for people with weak hip flexors and back issues (read: people who sit most of the day).

That said, if you master correctflutter kickform, the results can be pretty phenomenal.

通常执行不正确,很多人着急through the reverse crunch, cranking out a ton of reps without any control, Tripp says. Plus, it's an isolated movement, which only engages the small muscles in your abs.

This means the reverse crunch won't do much for you in terms of toning (i.e., building lean muscle) and burning calories.

一个variation of flutter kicks, this criss-cross move comes with the same hip flexor and lower back issues, Tripp says. And, like other small, ab-centered exercises, it won't likely improve your overall fitness, strength and calorie burn, per ACE.

While attempting to focus on your lower abs won't take you any closer to a losing belly fat, targeting your entire core with larger movements will recruit more muscles and help you torch more calories, Tripp says.

In fact, doingcompound exerciseslike squats and deadlifts, which incorporate many muscles, large and small, is a more successful strategy for training your abs, according to research in the June 2013 issue of theJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

While there are no squats or deadlifts on this list, the five following exercises, courtesy of Tripp, integrate multi-joint movements, activating many core muscles to help you lean out your lower abs.

Tripp recommends any sort of plank variation, as it teaches core engagement right off the bat. When you add a reach to a standard plank hold, you create an unsupported position which challenges balance and anti-rotation in the core.

That means all your core muscles, including your lower portion of your abs, must work overtime to keep your body upright, steady and in place. Building a strong, stable core through moves like these is essential before you advance to more dynamic moves, Tripp says.

1. Start in a standard forearm plank, creating a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Keep your neck in neutral alignment by looking at your hands.
2. Slowly reach one arm forward until your elbow is straight.
3. Pause for one second, then pull that arm back and plant your elbow so that you're in a basic plank again.
4. 一个lternate arms with each rep.

一个great move for your entire core, including your lower abs, mountain climbers take an isolated move like a scissor or flutter kick and put it into a functional movement pattern, forcing you to stabilize your core as you move your legs, Tripp says.

1. Press up into a high plank like you're about to do a push-up, with hands beneath the shoulders and your body in a straight line from head to heels.
2. Feet should be shoulder-width apart and anchored to the floor on the balls of your feet.
3. Keep your hips level and don't let your lower back sag.
4. Bring your right knee into your chest, engaging your abs at the same time.
5. Return your right knee to starting position.
6. Bring your left knee into your chest, then shoot it back, switching legs at your desired pace.
7. Keep your breath steady throughout the exercise, breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth.

Combining a push-up and squat jump, the burpee is a big movement, and when executed with proper form, it's a win-win for overall body conditioning and core strength, Tripp says.

1. Start standing, squat down and place your hands flat on the floor in front of you.
2. Kick both feet back and land in a proper push-up position with your shoulders, hips and ankles in a straight line.
3. Perform a push-up, keeping your elbows at a 45-degree angle to your body and maintaining a straight line from your neck to your ankles.
4. Jump your feet back underneath your hips and stand up with a flat back as you transition into an explosive jump.
5. Land softly with your hips back and knees in line with your feet and hips.

Hanging leg lifts are a terrific move for upper body holding power as well as conditioning your core. Specifically, your lower abs must work to lift your legs while the rest of your core muscles must activate to stabilize your body, so you don't swing, Tripp says.

1. Reach overhead and grab a pull-up bar with an overhand grip.
2. Straighten your arms and hang from the bar.
3. Keeping your core tight, exhale and lift your bent knees in front of you to approximately the height of your hips. Keep your torso still and avoid swinging.
4. Inhale and lower your knees back down.

This exercise takes your normal crunch and adds in some leg movements to create a larger movement that recruits more muscles. As you shift your legs in and out and flex your trunk, your midsection works to stay stable, emphasizing your whole core, from top to bottom, Tripp says.

1. Start by sitting upright on a mat with your legs bent in front of you.
2. Maintaining a straight back, lift your hands off the floor and pick your feet up as you draw your knees into your chest. Squeeze your abs and hold at the top of the movement. This is the "in" position.
3. Lean back and straighten your legs out in front of you, bracing your core to support your lower back.
4. Before your shoulder blades touch the floor, hover and hold for a pause in this "out" position.
5. Repeat this in-and-out movement pattern.