15 Best Standing Abs Exercises for Beginner to Advanced

These standing ab exercises are some of the most underrated moves in the fitness world. Just like the crunches, sit-ups and toe taps you love, standing ab exercises target your entire core—including your back and glutes—to help you sculpt, tone and strengthen one of the most important muscle groups in the body. Unlike the usual mat moves, standing ab exercises are functional, meaning they work with your natural body movements to mimic how you’d utilize your muscles in real life—say, when carrying groceries, mowing the lawn or deep cleaning the bathroom. They help support long-term balance and stabilization while also minimizing the strain on your neck, back, knees, and wrists (especially if you experience any difficulty getting up off the ground). Plus, they can be done absolutely anywhere with minimal space and equipment required. Video Timelines 0:00 Standing Side Band 0:20 Standing Air Bike 0:41 Bodyweight Windmill 1:03 Basic Toe Touch 1:27 Standing Core Rotation 1:46 Mountain Climber 2:05 Bent Over Twist 2:25 Dumbbell Side Bend 2:44 Pallof Press 3:04 Standing Cable Crunch 3:21 Landmine 180 Rotation 3:41 Battling Rope 4:07 Spell Caster 4:27 Standing Cable Lift 4:46 Barbell Side Bend