15 No-Crunch Ab Exercises to Tighten Your Core

Save your neck with these no-crunch ab moves!

Save your neck with these awesome no-crunch ab exercises.

Crunches have been around for a while. In fact, you might have bad memories of being forced to do crunches in elementary school P.E. However, crunches are actually not the most effective ab exercise. While crunches are great for isolating your upper abs, they can also be a strain on your neck and shoulders if done incorrectly. Additionally, they don’t work your lower abs, or obliques, implying that in order to get a defined six pack, you’re going to have to do more than just crunches.

The Best No-Crunch Ab Exercises

Save your neck (and time), and try some of these no-crunch ab exercises. They’re more effective, and they target different areas of your core for all-around great-looking abs.

1. Mountain Climbers

Mountain climbers are great for weight loss, because they raise your heart rate while working your abs and shoulders. In order to burn the most calories, go as fast as you can without losing proper form.

2. Russian Twists

Target your obliques with Russian twists. This simple move is highly customizable. Make it easier by keeping your feet on the ground, or bring it to the next level by hovering them in the air and twisting with a weight.

3. Leg Lifts

This move is harder than it looks. While keeping your legs straight, raise them until they are ninety degrees to your body. It looks simple, but a few reps will leave your lower abs burning.

4. Plank Hip Twist

This plank variation works the muscles along the side of your torso. Try to keep your shoulders steady and maintain the rotation on your core to get the most out of this no-crunch ab exercise.

5. Side Bends

You have curls for your biceps and bench presses for your chest. When it comes to weight lifting, side bends are the best moves for your obliques.

6. Wood Choppers

Standing exercises are great for your abs because the twisting motion helps target your transverse abdominals, your body’s natural corset. Additionally, exercises such as this wood chop move are perfect for outdoor workouts when you don’t want to lay on the ground.

7. Planks

The plank is one of the all-time-best total-body moves. Holding the plank position for just 60 seconds will leave your arms shaking and your core burning.

8. Side Planks

Regular planks target the muscles running down the middle of your core. However, side planks work the obliques, which run along your sides. Try combining a 60-second plank with 60-second side planks to get an all around workout.

9. Side Plank Twist

If you’re ready to get to the next level, try these side planks with a twist. It’s a challenge to keep your balance, and you’ll find yourself holding your abs in tightly just to finish the exercise.

10. Boat Pose


If you practice yoga or Pilates, you have probably seen this boat pose. Although there isn’t much movement, holding your abs will work up a sweat.

11. Spiderman Planks

Spidermans are similar to mountain climbers, but they target more of your sides rather than your lower abs. Think of it as doing a side crunch without actually having to do the crunch.

12. Cross Punch

Shadow boxing is great cardio, and these standing punches are also great for your abs. Choose a weight that you are comfortable with, and when throwing punches, make sure you twist from your middle to target the core.

13. Scissor Kicks

Scissor kicks target your lower abs. In order to get the most of this move, try moving your feet quickly without losing proper form.

14. Single Leg Circles

Pilates moves like this one help work your core, because it requires your ab muscles to hold you steady. You’ll find yourself tightening your lower abs the most when performing these half circles.

15. The Saw

The concept of the saw is similar to the concept of the standing wood chop. The twisting motion works your side abs and your transverse abdominals to cinch in your waist.

Do you love no-crunch ab exercises? What’s your favorite move? Did it make our list? Let us know in the comment section!

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Sofia Lopez

Sofia received her BA from Cornell University and her MFA from San Francisco State University. She creates workouts and fitness challenges. Her hobbies include running, hiking, and listening to audiobooks from the exercise bike.

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1 Comment

  1. These are all great alternatives to doing crunches great post I like that the videos are included too!

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