While you might not want a six-pack, even though it's really neat looking and women normally don't bulk up as men do, a flat stomach is often the goal of most women. In order to attain a flat stomach, you need to do exercises.
The abs are more than just one muscle group - they're several different muscles, each one doing a different task. The muscles you use when you bend to the side and stand up straight are not the ones that lift you up when you're lying on your back. Since you have different muscles, you'll need several exercises so you reach each muscle group.
Ride a Bike on your Back
One of the most effective lower ab workouts for women is the bicycle. You simply lie on your back, pressing the lower back to the floor and interlocking the fingers behind the head or placing them behind the ears. Bend your knees and lift your legs so your thighs are at a 45-degree angle to the floor. Now pedal that bike bringing on thigh close to your chest and straightening the other leg. When you bring the knee close, try to touch it with your elbow on the opposite side.
Windmill
The windmill actually looks more like a propeller. Extend your arms out at the sides and place your feet about 12 inches apart. Rotate your body to one side, going as far as possible and then rotate back with your body turning to the other side. Twist to one side then the other many times. It's a relaxing exercise and you'll find you'll look forward to it.
Form a V
A V-sit is probably one of the best lower ab workouts for women to help reduce that ball of flab left after you've given birth. Simply sit on the floor or exercise mat keeping your legs in extended position. Blow out all your air, tighten your abs and lean back a little as you slightly lift your legs from the floor. If you feel some neck strain, you can avoid it by putting your tongue in the roof of your mouth. Hold the slightly awkward position for as long as you can, up to one minute and then return to starting position. You'll only need to do two of these for them to be effective.
The (UGH) Crunch
The crunch is one of the toughest abdominal exercises because you feel the strain on your abs the most. It exercises the main muscle down the middle of your stomach and the side muscles. Lie on you back and bend your knees with your feet slightly lifted off the mat. You'll put your hands behind your head or behind your ear. Lift your shoulders off the ground and move your body slowly toward your knees, then lower your body back down to the ground. You can also increase the exercise to the obliques by attempting to touch each of your elbows (one at a time) to the opposite knee. If you want to make either exercise more difficult, move your hands and hold a weight against your chest.
