How do you tone up your stomach?

exercise ball and gunnar sp? peterson's workouts will flatten a belly. of course i have yet to stick to it long term....but when i have done it, i see tremendous changes (quickly at that) and since you're on a ball and not the floor....there are no dreaded crunches. its a bit funner, i think, than normal crunches and sit ups.

edited for typos

Unfortunately you can't spot reduce, you need to lose overall bodyfat. There are exercises that will help strengthen the abdominal muscles, but doesn't mean anything if they are hidden under a layer of fat! Are you weight training at all? They say abs are made in the kitchen, and I must say, the cleaner I eat, the more I notice my abs. I would suggest weight training 3-4 times a week (lifting heavy), eating clean 90% of the time (no processed foods, choose your carbs carefully, lots of fresh veggies and fruit, lean protein) and do some cardio...

edited to add: I have to say, since incorporating the seated ab crunch machine and hanging knee raises, I noticed a huge difference in my abs. I do 3 sets of 30 crunches at 36kgs when I use the crunch machine, and 3-4 sets of 15-20 reps of hanging knee raises. I also do leg raises, normal crunches and side crunches 3-4 times a week.

Lots and lots of crunches. Get yourself a workout that targets the core and it works. One of my favorites is Kettle Works. You know what else works?.... running or race walking! When you run (race walk), you engage your core. When you cover a long distance you can feel your obliques getting toned.

Also, this is a tip from a trainer. When you sit, practice good posture and SUCK IT IN! This is what will help you tone up 'better than any ab workout'.

As they say abs are made on the kitchen. I would suggest a clean diet along with cardio and a good ab routine. With more focus on diet than exercise.

When I saw my physiotherapist a while ago with a bad back she told me I needed to strengthen my abdominal muscles to help support my lower lumbar discs. This involves lying flat with your knees up and pulling in your lower ab muscles and holding for a few seconds (remember to breathe in and out with each movement). Do this a few times a day whenever you remember and you should notice a difference in a month. I don't have a stomach like a surf board but it is definitely much more toned since I have been doing this particular exercise. Another good exercise when standing is to pull in all your lower pelvic muscles as tight as you can (as though you are holding your bladder) this is very good for the abs too. Hope this helps.

the only exercise that ever helped my abs is doing sit ups on the lat pull down machine at the gym. I've done tons of crunches and other ab workouts but they don't target the center of my belly where I store all the fat.. I also have to keep my weight really low with low calories and cardio but when i get on that thing, it's the deepest burn I've ever felt and after like 2 weeks I love my belly!

Planks! Those will help strengthen your ab muscles in no time.. just get into a push position and hold it for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Thats what my trainer has me do, and it's absolutely crazy how much it can your abs hurt!

You could also try Oxycise. I have the dvd but I think you might be able to at least try it online. I have been doing it for 2 weeks- every other day- and I can really feel a difference in my stomach muscles! Basically it is deep, slow breathing while you focus on tightening your buns and abs! Good luck!

I just promote healthy living and exercise as much as possible. I got more tips on how to tone your stomach and more. Just check this site http://www.tonedstomach.org/how_to_tone_your_stomach.html. Thanks!