Abs exercises are some of the most effective ways to develop your core. In fact, they’re often one of the first things people want to work on when they start a workout routine.

The abs are made up of three muscles: the rectus abdominis (sometimes called the six-pack), the internal and external obliques and the transverse abdominus. These muscles help you support your body’s weight, lift and bend your spine, and stabilize your pelvis during movements like walking or running.

One of the best things about working out is that there are so many different types of workouts you can do to target different parts of your body. Doing crunches won’t make your abs look better; however, doing an abdominal workout with exercises like sit-ups and planks will help strengthen them.

If you’re interested in developing stronger abdominal muscles, here are some exercises to start with:

Plank

This exercise works your entire core and stabilizes your body from side to side, which helps strengthen your core muscles.

Side Plank with arm lifts

This exercise works your transverse abdominis muscle (the muscle that runs from side to side across the bottom half of your abdomen) by raising and lowering one arm at a time. Raise up as high as you can without raising your hips off the ground or arching your lower back. Lower down slowly until you feel tension in the front of your abs. Repeat on the other side.

One-leg Bridge with leg lift

This exercise strengthens and tones the middle of your abs by raising one leg up and then lowering it down while keeping the other leg straight in front of you. Raise up as high as you can without raising your hips off the ground or arching your lower back, then lower slowly until you feel tension in your middle section. Repeat on other side

Squats

Squats work your legs, hips, and butt, so they’re great for getting rid of belly fat. If you can’t do them while standing because of knee pain or back problems, do them while sitting on a bench or chair with your feet flat on the floor.

Lunges

Lunges also work your legs, hips, and butt — and the more advanced you get at them, the better! They’ll also help improve muscular endurance and balance as well as improve core strength (which will help strengthen other muscles in your body).

A strong core is important for good posture. Good posture protects your spinal cord, which carries electrical impulses from the brain to muscle. The longer you can maintain good posture, the healthier you’ll look and will be. And keeping your core strong helps improve your balance and stability, which will help prevent injuries.

Ready, set, go!