Exercises from the community
Crunches: Legs Straight (abs)
Crunches: Legs Straight removes the usual knee bend, giving your abs a different challenge and variety that leads to faster results. Lie on your back with your legs extended straight up or along the floor rather than bent. Curl your shoulders and upper back off the floor, focusing the effort in your abs rather than pulling with your neck, then lower back down with control.
Medicine Ball Straight Leg Raises
Medicine Ball Straight Leg Raises add resistance to a classic lower-ab movement, using the weight of the ball to make bigger gains than the bodyweight-only version. Lie on your back holding a medicine ball between your feet or ankles, legs extended toward the ceiling. Lower your legs slowly toward the floor without letting your lower back arch, then raise them back up using your lower abs.
Modified Knee Raises (abs)
Modified Knee Raises isolate the lower abs with an easier range of motion than a full hanging or straight-leg raise, making them a good stepping stone toward tougher lower-ab work. Sit on the edge of a bench or lie on your back with knees bent. Curl your knees up toward your chest by contracting your lower abs rather than swinging with momentum, then lower back down with control until your feet are just short of the floor before repeating.