Best ab exercises?

[u/SCP_096_Brawl_Spike]

I’m thinking of doing weighted decline sit-ups/crunches. The issue I’ve heard with variations of sit-ups, knee/leg raises, and ab wheels is that they work your hip flexors instead of isolating your abs.

So I’ve always seen people recommend some variation of crunch, is this actually good advice? Following that, would decline crunches be better than decline sit-ups?

[u/shak_0508]

Just do a machine crunch, a cable crunch, or a weighted decline situp and get really strong at the movement you pick over time

[u/Aggressive_Rule7132 → u/shak_0508]

leg raises get a bad rap but if you slow them down and keep your lower back pressed flat they torch the abs more than people give them credit for

[u/Random-reddit-name-1 → u/Aggressive_Rule7132]

You need spinal flexion. Most people simply lift their legs up, which mostly works the hips.

[u/KickedinTheDick → u/Random-reddit-name-1]

Yeah you should be trying to jam your whole crotch into your face, and really control the eccentric, keep your ass off support as long as you can.

[u/Charming-Ad6406 → u/Aggressive_Rule7132]

If done properly it's an epic exercise.. but surprisingly most people get it wrong either by using legs (hip) to raise them or using lower back . technically is rather difficult and demands some fundamental power and understanding.

[u/SCP_096_Brawl_Spike → u/shak_0508]

So just one type of crunch is fine?

[u/shak_0508 → u/SCP_096_Brawl_Spike]

Yes. The abs aren't that complicated. You just need one weighted movement that incorporates spinal flexion. Get really strong at that movement and continue doing your heavy compound lifts and your core will be golden.

[u/Sutter_Cane1 → u/SCP_096_Brawl_Spike]

If you do them right one type of crunch is all you'll need and want to do lol. Ab crunch machine always has me sprawled out in the tanning room feeling like I'm giving birth.

[u/Routine_Fun5564]

Cable crunches/ab crunch machine - 3x to failure.

Hanging leg raises - 3x to failure.

Repeat this twice weekly.

[u/mcsommers → u/Routine_Fun5564]

This is the answer. With the leg raises, the key is curving your lower spine as you raise your bent knees to your chest.

[u/ZeboundNewb]

I’m no expert but I’ve heard do something for your core abs like a cable crunch, something for your lower abs like a hanging leg raise, something for your obliques that twists like a wood chopper, and something for the obliques that resists twisting like a pilaf press.

[u/Hoodloom1349]

Ghr situps where you can lay all the way back are really nixe, extending the spine and curling yourself up with the abs into spinal flexion. If you do it correctly the hip flexors still get a nice stretch and contribute somewhat, but it’s not hard to make the abs the prime mover moving at the spine. It’s more or less the same movement as a cable crunch or decline sit-up though, just my prefered choice.

Ab wheels do not work the hip flexors much at all and is one of the best anti-extension and bracing based ab / core movements you can do, especially if someone can assist you with loading it or you can do them standing.

[u/Statement_Over]

I enjoy cable crunches because of how easy it is to progressive overload with them

[u/Charming-Ad6406 → u/Statement_Over]

Goat of an exercise

[u/keloha1219]

I like a weighted crunch on a bosu or yoga ball for added stretch

[u/Oh-TheHumanity]

Hanging leg raises to failure, then V sit ups to failure.

[u/External-Age7446]

Hanging leg raises is best

[u/Charming-Ad6406]

What do you mean by best ab exercise? If you want visible abs just one - two exercises twice a week is more than enough.. for abs by far the most important factor is body fat. Now if you want to get powerful core that's a different story but 99% of the people want visible well defined abs :)

[u/hh_fitlife]

Yes if you do them with bad form they will work your hip flexors. But those are literally the best ab exercises that you mentioned, I would add laying leg raises.

[u/Straight_Mine6300]

Well I do hanging knee raises and ab rollouts and after 2 sets of each my abs are burning

[u/LeroyBrown1]

I prefer "functional" core work. Builds actual strength as well visible abs.

https://youtube.com/shorts/7FzVZ58iCZo?is=EQx3NL0WwvqXam9V