Getting great abs isn't gender specific anymore. 👨 👩 Once upon a time, it seemed like men were the only ones working to get rock hard abs, but head to any gym 🏋 and you'll see that there are just as many women interested in learning how to get great abs. The problem is that we girls seem to have a difficult time sculpting our midsections… but we still want fab abs! Generally, women must work much harder and longer to achieve the washboard abs we’ve have been dreaming of 😌 💤, but it’s not impossible! 🙌 You just have to know the right moves 💃, and a few diet tips 🍏 🍇 🌽, to get great abs, even if you’re a girl, like me. I can help! Here are dozens of ways to get great abs if you are a girl… 🙆
1 Bust the Myth
You’ve seen the ads all over the internet: bust belly fat fast! Well, guess what? Those ads are only helping spread a myth. There is NO way to get rid of fat in one area of your body. The only way to get rid of fat, and get great abs, is to lose weight all over, and tone the muscles in that entire core area. Now that the “lose belly fat” myth is busted, let’s move on and get great abs!
2 Skip the Soda
Before you do a single tummy crunch, think about what you’re putting into your body. A bottle of soda, which is two servings (not one!), contains almost 250 calories. Those are EMPTY calories, so skip the soda in favor of better hydration, like mixed fruit juice with no sugar added, or water with a squeeze of lemon.
Here’s another diet tip that will help you get great abs: forget fast food! It’s loaded with calories, many of them from fat. In fact, one value meal can contain all of the calories you’re supposed to eat in one day! Forget fast food. Prepare your own meals at home.
4 Try for Five
Did you know you’re supposed to eat five servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day? Most of us don’t! If you try for five servings each day, you’ll notice you have more energy, and that you won’t be hungry… hey, five servings is a lot of food!
5 Don’t Starve Yourself
Don’t think that by cutting calories to the extreme you’ll lose belly fat and sculpt your abs. to build lean muscle, you’ll need protein, and carbs. Don’t starve yourself, or you’ll end up the flabbiest skinny girl on earth, or worse. Don’t’ even skip breakfast! Don’t skip any meals!
6 Fiber Supreme
Did you know that making the simple switch from chemical-filled (and notoriously bland) white bread to fiber-rich, tasty whole grain bread can help you feel fuller, longer, thus giving you the extra push you need to work out, and get great abs? It’s true. All true.
7 Know Your Serving Sizes
Okay, this is the last diet tip, then we’ll move on to exercises that will help you get great abs! Remember when I said that a bottle of soda is actually two servings, not one? Most of us don’t know what an actual serving size is. Check package labels carefully, and learn that a serving size looks like, so when you’re counting calories, you’re including everything you eat.
8 Practice the Inverted Bicycle
You might remember this little exercise from elementary P.E. class. Lie on your back with your hands behind your head and spin those legs like you are riding your bicycle. Always remember to breathe throughout your exercise time and pace yourself. To step it up, gently lift your head and crunch in as you “pedal.” Try for 3 sets of 3 minutes apiece.
9 Do Crunches Using an Exercise Ball
Crunches are a great way to shape up your abs. Sit on your exercise ball resting your lower back on the ball and placing your feet on the floor and place hands behind your head. Do crunches up and back while keeping your lower back on the ball. Why are these crunches better for getting great abs? Because, to stay on the ball, you’ll have to use your core for balance, kicking your crunches up a notch.
10 Try Some Old-school Sit-ups
Sit-ups work the core of your body and they don’t require any equipment. For the best results, do fast paced sets and keep your form sharp. Focus on correct breathing and contracting your abs with each movement. Try for 3 sets of 12 or 15.
11 Plank It!
Lie face down and rest on your forearms. Push your body off of the floor resting your body weight on your elbows and toes. Keep your back in a straight line with your head and toes. Tilt your pelvis and then hold for about 20 seconds. Lower back to floor and then repeat several times. See how long you can hold the plank position without bending! Whew!
12 Try Sit-DOWNS, Too
What’s the just-as-effective opposite of a sit-up? How about a sit DOWN! Sit on a decline bench with your feet tucked under the bar at the “up” end of the bench. Sit up, with your hands behind your head, and lay half-way back… don’t lay all the way back! Then slowly sit all the way up again. Repeat for 3 sets of 12… and remember to contract your abs all the way down and up!
13 Reverse Fly
Use a stand-up machine with a waist-high bar. Keeping your knees straight, bend at the waist, then “fly” back up. Don’t over-extend, just keep your line straight as you come up. Repeat for 3 sets of 12. It doesn’t sound like much, but this is great for your core!
14 Twist (shouting is Optional)
Remember these calisthenics? They were also called windmills, I think. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, then bend at the waist and touch your left fingers to your right toes. Come back up, then touch your right fingers to your left toes. Whee! It’s so much fun, you’ll forget you’re working your abs and core. Repeat for 3 sets of 12.
15 Crunch Time
Ah, the dreaded crunches. They’re not very much fun, but they’re necessary if you want great abs. Some gyms offer crunch machines, so you can try those if you’d like. Or, if you prefer, you can use a decline bench. Either way, remember to crunch with your tummy, not with your head or neck. Aim for 3 sets of 12.
16 Crunch and Twist
Sounds like a snack, doesn’t it? Try these in addition to a typical crunch, by simple twisting slightly so your left elbow touches your right knee, then your right elbow touches your left knee. Again, repeat for 3 sets of 12.
17 Leg Raises
How can raising your legs help tone your tummy? Trust me, it works. Sit on a flat bench with your arms behind you for support, then raise your legs (bend your knees on the way up) to tummy-level. Squeeze your abs, then slowly lower your legs. Don’t let your feet touch the floor! Repeat for 3 sets of 20. Whew! See? Feel the burn!
18 Walk It
If you’re just not up to running or jogging, did you know that walking (fast walking, that is) can be just as effective at helping you tone? Make sure you’re going fast-paced enough to make your heart thump, and to break a sweat. Here’s a good rule of thumb to tell if you’re walking fast enough: if you can sing along to your iPod, you need to speed up a bit!
19 Climb the Stairs
Whether you opt for the stairs instead of the elevator or use the torturous stair-climber at the gym, climbing the stairs in another way to get great abs. Why? Again, it’s all about the balance and cardio and weight-bearing exercise. It’s also good for your buns and thighs!
20 Spin It!
If you’ve ever taken a spin class then you already know how marvelous it is at toning your entire body. If you haven’t taken a spin class, what are you waiting for? It’s a wonderful way to get great abs!
21 Take Another Class!
Most gyms have one goal in mind: to help you get healthy and fit, and stay that way. So most of them offer group classes, from spinning (see above) to yoga to Zumba. Find a class that interests you, and sign up! When you’re rocking a bikini-ready bod, including great abs, you’ll be glad you did.
22 Yoga, Too!
That’s right, yoga is another excellent way to get great abs! It’s not all about the Tree or Downward Dog. Most moves help strengthen your core, which in turn is great for your abs. Try a DVD, or take one of those classes I mentioned above.
23 Don’t Forget the Cardio!
By getting good, heart-thumping cardio 4 times a week, for about forty minutes each session, you’ll tone your abs (along with everything else) and be heart-healthy and fit! Good examples of cardio are running, jogging, elliptical, and swimming.
24 Snack Well
For me, the hardest part of sticking to a plan that will help me get great abs is the snacking. I am ALWAYS hungry, so I keep a few healthy snacks in my work bag so I'm prepared when the urge to nosh strikes.
25 Squeezy Does It
No matter how you're working out — cardio or jogging or yoga or whatever — be sure to keep your abs tight. This ensures you'll be getting the maximum ab workout, and even help you keep proper form.
Sarahis straight skin and bones. Look at her hips and a...
26 Straighten up!
Poor posture won't help you get great abs, or anything else, for that matter. In fact, if you tighten your tummy muscles, you'll notice that you'll automatically sit up a little straighter. There! That's better!
27 Dress the Part
Even if you have the greatest, most sculpted abs on the planet, wearing too-tight jeans will give you the illusion of muffin top, so imagine what even a tin pudge will look like! Wear jeans that flatter your body, rather than super-skinny jeans that are a size too small. Wouldn't you rather look hot in a 6 than look bulgy in a 4?
28 Track Your Progress
Take a before photo of your tummy region before you start working on your abs, then every two weeks, take another. You'll be able to track your "great abs" progress much better this way than by just weighing yourself on a scale.
29 Stay Inspired
Keep a photo of that bikini you want on the fridge to deter late-night snacking, or (sometimes more effective) a less-than-flattering photo of you in your gym bag when you’re feeling less-than-motivated. Or check out our list of motivational quotes for working out… anything that gets you, and keeps you, inspired!
30 Be Realistic
No matter how dedicated you are to your great-abs routine and diet, you won’t get your washboard belly in a week. Or even a month. It takes time, so be patient, and be realistic.
31 Hire a Pro
If all else fails, why not hire a pro? Personal trainers can help you in ways reading a list can’t. I mean, have you ever seen Jillian Michaels NOT get someone fit? Tell your potential trainer you want to tone up, including your abs, and ask for a trial workout before you make a hiring decision.
If you’re searching for how to get great abs and tighten your midsection before you make you big debut at the beach, you can relax. Use these 8 ways to get great abs if you are a girl and you will get great results. Which of these will you try first? What is your favorite ab exercise to tighten your tummy?
Tanya So many helpful suggestions!!! Thank youuuu❤️
Jazmyne Is chic-fil-a considered fast food 🤔🤔
Jazmyne I loved every minute of reading these helpful tips and seeing this pics . I've been hiking a lot lately since I don't go to the gym often . Crunches and sit-ups are not enjoyable from the tension on my neck & back.
Squidge Work hard!
Ella How many reps do you do in each set?
DB @Neli I agree, or add a small video clip of each individual workout they're referring to. Although, one could just YouTube or google it :)
GGBoline Planks aren't effective in toning the belly/abs, it's only putting tension on the muscles beneath the skin. It does what hanging on the monkey bars without pulling up would do to your arms.
Mitch Well recently i've been cheating on my diet, so i would say these tips really can help. It's worth trying :D
Nienke Love this!just switch between classes
Neli #suggestion for the exercise tips, adding a relevent picture would be better. I'd like to see the actual exercise you're describing.
SofiaWasHere I don't drink soda (never have, never will) or fast food, I don't starve myself, I take the stairs...what am I doing wrong?!
Calixta But I love the soda!!!😮
Brooke I really think this will work
Emma It works so much and I'm 13 years old
georgia why can i only see number 1...
Paige Never ever exercise with a pillow underneath your head. Anyway, this really works, I used to be addicted to soda, but now it's just not me. I started seeing my abs in less then two weeks!
Stella It´s Already Working:)
Melody Cool! Very helpful, interesting. I've always wanted abs:D
Lupita This is so helpful thnxs
Yvette I'll try it let see how it goes💪👏
Oryana This is wonderful, I am struggling losing the belly fat after having children, it is really (for me) the hardest part of my body to lose weight from.
sharee Very helpful! Thanks! :)
societyengineer convention publication...engrbien
bevs where is #2?
bevs i can't find number 2
Alysia sex also helps lol ;)
Lau94 Amazing tips! ☺️
jobanana so helpful. leg raises kill but the work really well
CrazyGirl awsome!
Wilhelmina This is a great list, but where's the 31?
Neecey @Wilhelmina, It was a numbering error - 2 number 20. Fixed now.Thanks for letting us know,
Angel Let's all rock n roll n get our fitness goals met to d tee
Angel Awsum
Gracie I tend to lose size everywhere but my stomach. Is there a way I can lose size from my stomach that is sure to work?
Zahraa Yayyy
malpal love it
aylindeniz omg great tips :)
Allison What are the healthy snacks you eat?
Fuck @Allison, Met me
Kelly @Allison almonds are always my first choice.😊
Aliyah I want abs so bad
Emma Are you supposed to do all of these exercises in one workout or choose a couple?
Diana Hi Emma, You can do a few in one workout session, but you probably shouldn't do all of these at once!
Krista How can I print this?
Diana On your tool bar there should be a print option. Thank you for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ISOBELLAH Love it!
Noelle okay so i want to get my hip bones to show.. and i have a little fat not much around the bottom of my stomach, i have a little pooch and i want to get rid of it. Any tips on how i can do that?
Denise Hi Noelle. That sounds like unhealthy thinking. Being healthy is more important than getting your hip bones to show.
Sarah #25 is straight skin and bones. Look at her hips and arms!
Melissa If you want six pack abs DON'T HAVE KIDS. if you want kids DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT YOUR LEFT WITH. I've had five kids and my lower belly is stretched a bit. I am a small framed woman and while my belly isn't huge it's still got a little apron as my grandmother use to say. A plastic surgeon told me the only real fix is a tummy tuck. Sorry ladies, I'm afraid this stuff won't work for us mommas of multiple kids.
May @Melissa totally not true. It is completely possible with healthy eating and Excersice. Look at all the women with tight tummies and a kid in each arm ;) don't lose hope ladies! Keep working at it!
Amie I have had 2 c-sections...so r u saying"us" cant have a sixpack or chizzled look? Im confused.
Regina You've listed exercises for the abs... please include the photos of the exercises instead of the photos posted now. That would be more useful. Thanks.
Lyndsie Hi Regina! I'm sorry you feel that way but this post is actually getting redone soon with photos and video tutorials, so I hope you'll give it another try! :) Thanks.
Noni Uhh...one question. What do you mean by "sets of..." Like what are you talking about. I've always wondered that whenever I read about exercises.
Heather Hi Noni! Typically the reps, how many you do. :)
Alyson I am 24 and I had a child at 21. I am a size 2 and 5'4. I have cut abdominal muscles that are visible.. So it must be possible to tone your muscles after you have a child (at least after one). Also, I had a C-section so that can't be true. I have done tons of cardio (dancing, running) and I also do weight traning and ab classes. I work on my abs, arms, butt, and legs on my own at home as well. It is possible ladies, it just takes a lot of time. If you have a lot of excess skin from pregnancy (or it stretched a lot), that could potentially leave the look of a "gut" but you can tone those abs. I would say you are more likely to have excess skin with the more children you have, so that may be the problem you are describing.
Nastaasja Hvn fun!!
Air-Tan 30 Ways to Great Abs (via Twitter)
Kamila How long do you have to follow this??
Denise Hi Kamila. Do these things until you see results. I can't give you an exact number of days/weeks/months because it differs for everyone. And even after you've achieved your goal, you should still continue to exercise to maintain your weight, figure, and health. Thanks for stopping by!
Laura I have had two children. I am 42 yrs old. I do lots of crunches and exercise regularly. I don't drink soda, and I limit the amount of sugar and sweets. AND I have 6 pack abs!
Denise Way to go, Laura!
realitycheck I am disappointed in this "article." First, the thinspirational photos are of mostly thin but unfit women, not toned women. Second, a lot of these photos are photoshopped. Not cool. Especially the cleavage on #15. Shame on you for not being able to use pictures of actual, unaltered women.
Torrey @realitycheck, it bothered me more when they implied that being a six was a negative thing.
Denise Hey there. Welcome to All Women Stalk! Thank you for your feedback. However, upon review of the photos, I would say that most of the photos we used are of women who you could consider fitness models. They look pretty fit to me. I mean, look at those muscles. If they were unfit women, I don't think they would have that muscle definition. And yes, I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that their muscles are real. I believe anyone can achieve a toned body with enough work and with proper nutrition. Of course, there are things to consider like personal physical limitations, but that's a completely different discussion. Honestly, I think it's better to hold on to the hope that I can be as fit and as strong as those girls instead of looking at super-thin models and hoping I can look like them. I'd rather believe that I am capable of being stronger than I currently am. And even if I don't end up looking exactly like those fitness models -- with their muscles and photoshopped cleavages -- at least I would have become stronger and more fit in the process.
Anonymous what if youre a vegetarian?
Lyndsie That's no problem, you can still improve your abs! Just make sure you get all the protein and muscle-building nutrients you need from other foods!
Larisa How much quantity is 1 serving???
Larisa @Denise, You say here 5 servings of fresh fruit, what is that quantity. What would you say is 1 serving
Denise Hi Larisa. One serving for what? I hope to hear from you again!
Anonymous I'm about 5'6' and 120 pounds. Is that a healthy weight?
Kristan @Anonymous, yes because I am 135
Lyndsie Hi, welcome to All Women Stalk! Let me preface this by saying that if your overall health is good, then you're healthy! But for you specifically, absolutely that's a healthy weight, and you actually have some wiggle room. My doctor has always said to take a base weight of 100 pounds and add five pounds for every inch over five -- so you're 5'6", you could even safely go up to 130. But again, if you feel good, if your body is happy, and if you're happy with yourself, then you're golden!
Anonymous And also, don't forget to laugh if you want great abs x)
Denise Laughing is a great and fun workout. Thank you for mentioning it. Keep visiting All Women Stalk!
Ashley If you've had kids, no amount of sit ups, crunches, or planks will help-but actually make things worse. If your transverse abdominious muscles aren't together, where they need to be, then crunches/sit ups won't help. I got to listen to things amazing woman speak, Bethany Learn; fit2b.us -check her out. She said never do a crunch or sit up again..
Brooke @angie, my aunt has had two kids and she had them both a c-section and her stomach is flat! So it itsn't completely impossible...for everyone.
Abbie @angie, My mom has given birth to ten children and is now 46 years old. For all that she's been through she looks amazing. But despite all her efforts to flatten her stomach, she still has a gut. Any advice?
angie @Ashley, I had my first child at 19 and my last at 30(3rd child) I'm 43 now. Tons of cardio , weights ,clean eating most of the time. My lower stomach will never be flat. My only option is tummy tuck. :(
Anonymous @Denise, I think what Ashley was trying to say was that mothers' abdominal muscles are often torn during childbirth, especially if they have C-sections. Thus, it is impossible for many women to tone their abs; they are physiologically incapable of doing so. Perhaps this could be an idea for a new article about weight loss/strength training/muscle toning for mothers.
Denise Hi Ashley. That's an interesting theory. However, strength training along with cardio has been known to provide great results for many people.... Thank you for adding your thoughts to the discussion!
Anonymous It's interesting that there's an article on here called "7 ways to lose stomach fat fast" considering #1.....
Anonymous YES, these tips and exercises are all good choices if you put out the effort.
Denise I'm glad you think so. Thank you for reading All Women Stalk!
Mariana Hey, how do you get rid of a muffin top? Will this help with that?
SE @Denise, "all women stalk"?!? Lol!! :)) oops!
Catherine I believe I'll be using this to lose baby weight after he's born! Thank you so much for sharing these awesome tips!
Anonymous This would be alot easier to read if I didn't have to click "show me more" 30 times to read all of it...................................
Denise Hello. Welcome to All Women Stalk! We are currently working on finding another way of viewing the posts. Please bear with us.
Nathalie Click "show me more" then scroll down (a little) :] hope that helps!
Anonymous me too!! :) looks great!
Anonymous I HAVE A 6 PACK
Anonymous Following this tips and doing the exercises really worked for you? I've been looking for some feedback. If it worked for you, then this is the motivation I've been looking for!