If you’re looking to strengthen your core and sculpt tighter abs without spending hours in the gym, this simple yet effective 3-move Ab Exercises might be exactly what you need. By performing these three abdominal exercises just three times per week, you can build a strong, stable core that supports better posture, improved athletic performance, and a flatter stomach.

This short but effective workout targets multiple areas of your core — including your upper abs, lower abs, and obliques — while emphasizing proper form and engagement. The Best 3 Ab Exercises:

1 – Plank with Side Steps

Why it works:

This dynamic plank variation challenges your core stability by forcing your abs and obliques to work harder to prevent your hips from rotating. It’s excellent for building anti-rotational strength and toning the waistline.

How to do it:

  1. Start in a strong forearm plank position. Your elbows should be directly under your shoulders, your forearms flat on the floor, and your body in a straight line from head to heels.
  2. Engage your core by pulling your belly button towards your spine. Keep your feet about hip-distance apart.
  3. Keeping your hips as still and level as possible, step your left foot outward about 8 to 10 inches to the side.
  4. Pause for a moment, then step your left foot back to the starting position with control.
  5. Repeat the movement with your right foot. That completes one repetition.

12–15 reps per side

2 – Bicycle Crunches

Why it works:

This classic move is one of the best for targeting multiple abdominal muscles at once. It hits the rectus abdominis (the “six-pack” muscles) and is especially effective for the obliques (side abs), helping to create a toned and defined waist.

How to do it:

  1. Lie flat on your back with your lower back pressed firmly into the mat. Place your hands lightly behind your head, elbows wide.
  2. Lift your shoulders off the mat and bring your knees in toward your chest, bent at a 90-degree angle.
  3. Straighten your right leg out while simultaneously twisting your upper body to the left, bringing your right elbow toward your left knee.
  4. The twist should come from your torso and rib cage, not just from pulling on your neck with your hands.
  5. Continue to alternate sides in a smooth, controlled “pedaling” motion, exhaling as you twist.

20–30 total reps (10–15 per side)

3 – Side Plank with Rotation

Why it works:

This exercise intensely targets the obliques, which are key for a cinched waist and a stable core. The rotational movement also challenges your balance and shoulder stability, making it a highly functional core exercise.

How to do it:

  1. Start in a side plank on your right elbow, ensuring your elbow is directly beneath your shoulder. Stack your feet one on top of the other.
  2. Lift your hips high, creating a straight line from your head to your feet. Place your left arm behind your head and inhale.
  3. As you exhale, rotate your left rib cage down toward the floor, bringing your left elbow in toward your body as if “threading a needle.”
  4. Pause at the bottom of the movement, imagining you’re pulling your navel in toward your spine to deepen the contraction.
  5. Inhale as you slowly return to the starting position. Complete all reps on one side before switching to the other.

20–30 total reps (10–15 per side)

Stick with these simple Ab exercises, fuel your body well, and give yourself time to see transformation. Whether your goal is better posture, enhanced athletic performance, or a flatter stomach, these three exercises are a powerful place to start.