10 Best Exercises for the Upper Abs (Build Your Six Pack!)

Looking for the best exercises for the upper abs? We’ve got you covered. Read on to find out how to tone your upper abs and get the six-pack you’ve always wanted.

Best Exercises for the Upper Abs

Whether you are trying to tone up your midsection or build those six-pack abs, there is one muscle group that you can’t overlook – the upper abs.

The upper abs are commonly seen as one of the last parts to develop, which can be frustrating for many people. However, with a few simple exercises, it is possible to tone up your upper abs and get that toned six-pack look you have always wanted. Here are some of the best exercises for the upper abs:

Read More: The Perfect Abs Workout (Sets and Reps Included)

1. Best Exercises for the Upper Abs – Bicycle Crunches

Bicycle crunches are a great exercise for the upper abs, as they engage both your upper and lower abs while also working your obliques. To perform bicycle crunches, lie flat on your back with your hands behind your head and legs lifted at a 45-degree angle.

Source: Ant Haynes

Then, lifting your shoulder blades off the ground and crunching in toward one another, reach with one arm to touch the opposite knee. Repeat this motion on the other side, alternating sides in a bicycle pedaling motion.

2. Side Plank with Leg Lifts

Another great exercise that engages both the upper and lower abs is side plank with leg lifts. This exercise is great for developing the obliques, which are crucial in toning up your midsection.

To perform this exercise, lie on one side with one forearm on the ground and one leg on top of the other. Then, slowly lift your hips off the floor and hold this position for a few seconds before lowering back down. Once you have reached the bottom position, lift your top leg up and hold for another few seconds. Repeat this motion until you have completed your set.

3. Best Exercises for the Upper Abs – Hanging Leg Raises

If you are looking to focus on your upper abs, then hanging leg raises are an excellent exercise to try. This simple exercise targets the upper abs while also engaging your lower abs, obliques, and even your arms.

To perform hanging leg raises, simply hang from a pull-up bar with your knees slightly bent and raise your legs until they are parallel to the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds before lowering them back down and repeating the movement.

4. Best Exercises for the Upper Abs – Crunches on an Exercise Ball

Crunches on an exercise ball are another great way to tone up your upper abs. This exercise engages your entire core, making it a great choice for those looking to tone up their midsection.

To perform crunches on an exercise ball, lie flat on the ground with your upper back on exercise ball. Place your hands behind your head and bend at the elbows so that you are looking forward. Then, crunch up toward your knees, squeezing your abs in as you move.

5. Best Exercises for the Upper Abs – Reverse Crunches

Reverse crunches are an excellent exercise to tone up your upper abs and also work your lower abs and obliques.

To perform reverse crunches, lie on the ground with your hands at your side and legs extended up in the air. Then, slowly bend at the knees and curl your hips off of the ground while you pull your knees in toward your chest. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating the movement.

6. V-Ups

If you are looking to add an additional element of core engagement, then V-ups are a great exercise to try.

To perform V-ups, lie flat on the ground with your arms extended above you and legs straight out in front of you. Then, slowly raise your legs and arms until they are fully extended above your head, squeezing your abs as you lift. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating the movement.

7. Best Exercises for the Upper Abs – Bird Dogs

Bird dogs are an excellent exercise for developing your upper abs, as well as your lower abs and obliques.

To perform this exercise, lie on the ground with your hands at your side and knees bent. Then, lift your right arm and left leg off of the ground, squeezing your abs to hold this position stable. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating the movement with the opposite arm and leg.

8. Best Exercises for the Upper Abs – Leg Lifts

Leg lifts are a great exercise for developing the lower abs and obliques, which are crucial for a strong core.

This exercise is simple, but you will be sure to feel it working in just a few reps. To perform this exercise, lie flat on the ground with your hands at your side and legs extended straight out. Then, raise your legs until they are parallel to the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds before lowering them back down and repeating the movement.

9. Jackknife Sit-Ups

Jackknife sit-ups are another great exercise to tone up your upper abs and give you that chiseled look that you are after.

To perform this exercise, lie on your back with your legs extended straight out in front of you and your hands behind your head. Then, raise your arms and legs off of the ground while squeezing your abs in and curling up toward your knees, so that your hands and feet touch. Hold this position for a few seconds before slowly returning to the starting position and repeating the movement.

10. Planks

Planks are an excellent exercise for developing your entire core, including your upper abs. This simple exercise will have you feeling the burn in your core muscles in no time. To perform this exercise, lie flat on the ground with your elbows supporting your upper body and face down.

Source: Unsplash

Then, squeeze your abs and extend your legs back behind you so that your body is parallel to the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating the movement.

While these exercises will help you tone up your upper abs, it is also important that you focus on maintaining a healthy diet as well. The foods that you eat will have a significant impact on your body and overall health, so be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein in your diet. In addition, be sure to drink plenty of water and avoid foods that are high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Following this advice in conjunction with your exercise routine will help you achieve the toned and chiseled abs that you are after.

As you can see, there is no shortage of exercises available to you that will help you tone up your upper abs. So, no matter what your fitness level is or how much time you have to devote to exercise, you can use these exercises to get the results that you are after.

Read More: 5 Highly Effective CrossFit Abs Workouts you can do at Home