Ab Toning Exercises With Weights

These advanced abdominal exercises require dumbbells:

Arm Pull Over Straight-Leg Crunch:


Grab a pair of 10- to 12-pound dumbbells and lie on your back with your arms placed behind you. Extend your legs and bring your arms up over your chest and lift your shoulders off the mat while raising your legs until they're perpendicular to the floor. Return to the starting position without letting your legs touch the floor. Complete 20 reps.



Side Bend:

Hold a pair of lightweight dumbbells over your head, with your elbows slightly bent. Keep your back straight as you slowly bend directly to your right as far as possible without twisting your upper body. Pause, and return to an upright position. Then, repeat the exercise bending to the left as far as possible. Do 15 reps on each side.