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Easy 8-Minute LOWER STOMACH WORKOUT for Beginners (No Equipment)

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Tonya McIntosh

Tonya McIntosh—The main person behind TGFFitness as its Founder and Chief Editor. Get to know more about Tonya

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Reviewed By: Ashley Castleberry

Most ab routines hit everything except the one area you actually want to target, and if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

That’s exactly why this lower stomach workout exists. It’s packed with 12 beginner-friendly exercises that zero in on that stubborn spot right below the belly button, and since the whole thing only takes 8 minutes, it’s easy to fit into any day.

No equipment needed and no complicated moves, either. Just roll out your mat and let’s get into this lower abdomen workout:

1

Leg Drop + Tuck

This one’s a great way to kick off a lower stomach workout because it hits your lower abs from two angles.

You’ll feel the burn on the way down as you control the drop, and then again when you tuck your knees in tight.

So the key here? Don’t rush through it. The slower you go, the harder your lower abdomen has to work to keep everything steady.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back and place your hands behind your head.
  • Extend both legs straight up toward the ceiling.
  • Slowly lower your straight legs toward the floor with control, making sure to keep your back pressed flat against the mat.
  • Just before your heels reach the floor, bend your knees and tuck them in toward your chest.
  • Extend your legs straight back up to the ceiling to return to the starting position.
2

Ab Hold + Toe Tap

Now that your abs are warmed up, let’s add a hold into the mix. For this one, you’ll keep your shoulders lifted the entire time while tapping your toes down one leg at a time.

It sounds simple enough, but holding that crunch position while moving your legs is trickier than you’d think.

And whatever you do, make sure you keep those taps light. Your abs should be doing all the work here, not momentum, so no slamming your feet on the floor.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back and place your hands behind your head.
  • Engage your core and lift your shoulders off the mat, holding a crunch position.
  • Lift your legs and bend your knees at a 90-degree angle so your shins are parallel to the ceiling.
  • Keeping the bend in your knee, slowly lower one leg to gently tap your toes on the floor (do not slam your foot).
  • Lift the leg back up to the 90-degree position.
  • Alternate legs, keeping your shoulders lifted in the crunch hold the entire time.
3

Forearm Heel Taps

Time to flip over and prop yourself up on your forearms. From here, you’ll be doing small, controlled taps with your heels while keeping your legs lifted.

Even though the range of motion is tiny, this is one of those moves where a little goes a long way because your lower tummy is working overtime to keep your legs from dropping.

And if you feel your back starting to arch, that’s your sign to lift your legs a bit higher until the tension eases up.

How to perform:

  • Prop yourself up on your forearms with your elbows directly under your shoulders and your palms flat on the mat.
  • Extend your legs straight out in front of you.
  • Lift your straight legs slightly off the floor.
  • Perform a small, continuous up-and-down motion with your legs, gently tapping your heels together with each movement.
  • Keep your back flat and avoid arching as you lift and tap.
4

Forearm Bicycle

Still on your forearms? Good, because now you’ll switch over to a pedaling motion. Think of your core as the engine and your legs are just along for the ride.

With this one, it’s all about smooth, even pedaling. It’s tempting to speed up, but keeping a steady pace is actually what fires up the lower abs the most.

And if you’re new to this flat stomach workout, feel free to bring your legs a little higher to take some of the pressure off while you build up strength.

How to perform:

  • Remain propped up on your forearms with your elbows under your shoulders.
  • Lift both legs off the floor.
  • Bend one knee and pull it in toward your chest while keeping the other leg extended straight out.
  • Switch leg positions continuously in a pedaling motion, keeping your core engaged.
  • Alternate legs smoothly as if riding a bicycle.
5

Flutter Kicks

You’re staying in that forearm position for one more round, so hang in there. This time, instead of pedaling, you’ll do quick scissor-like movements with straight legs.

Flutter kicks are a classic for a reason since they keep constant tension on your lower abdomen, which is exactly what we want in a stomach workout for beginners.

Just remember to keep the movements small and controlled, because big, wild kicks won’t do you any favors here.

How to perform:

  • Stay on your forearms with your back flat and your elbows under your shoulders.
  • Extend your legs straight out in front of you and hover them off the floor.
  • Keep your legs straight and move them up and down in small, rapid, scissor-like motions.
  • Alternate legs continuously, keeping your core tight and your lower back stable.
6

Reverse Crunch

Alright, go ahead and roll onto your back for this next one. 

Reverse crunches are one of the best moves for targeting that stubborn lower tummy area because the movement starts from the bottom up instead of the top down.

You’ll slide your hands under your glutes for a little support, then use your abs to roll your hips up and off the floor.

The trick, though, is to think “lift” instead of “swing.” If you’re relying on momentum to get your hips up, your abs aren’t getting the full benefit of the move.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back and slide your hands under your glutes for support.
  • Keep your legs together with a slight bend in your knees.
  • Using your lower abs, lift your legs and roll your hips off the floor, bringing your knees toward your chest in a smooth swing.
  • Slowly lower your hips and legs back down to the starting position with control.
7

3s Hold Leg Drop

Here’s where things get spicy. This exercise is similar to a regular leg drop, but with a three-second hold at the very bottom that makes it way more intense.

And the lower you go, the harder it gets. So if you’re just starting out with this lower abdomen workout, don’t feel like you need to bring your legs all the way down. Even stopping halfway will still give you a solid challenge.

By the way, we’re past the halfway point of the workout now, so you’re doing amazing. Keep that energy going.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your hands under your glutes to support your lower back.
  • Extend both legs straight up toward the ceiling.
  • Keep your legs completely straight and slowly lower them toward the floor.
  • Stop lowering just before your feet touch the ground and hold that hovering position for 3 seconds.
  • Lift your straight legs back up to the ceiling and repeat.
8

Up & Down Plank

Time to switch things up with a plank variation. For this one, you’ll go from a forearm plank up to a high plank and back down again.

Now, it might look like an arm exercise, but your core actually has to stay locked in tight the whole time to keep your body from rocking side to side.

One thing to watch for, though, is making sure your plank is actually planking. That means back flat, neck neutral, and no sagging hips. If you’re not sure about your form, a quick check in the mirror can really help.

How to perform:

  • Start in a forearm plank position with your elbows under your shoulders, your back flat, and your neck neutral.
  • Push up onto the palm of one hand, then follow with the other hand to lift yourself into a high plank (push-up) position.
  • Lower yourself back down onto one forearm, and then the other, returning to the starting position.
  • Keep your core tight to avoid arching your back or letting your belly drop.
  • Alternate which arm you use to push up and lower down first.
9

V-Crunch

Almost there! For this flat tummy workout move, you’ll sit back slightly and use your abs to pull your knees and torso together into a tight V shape.

It takes a bit of coordination to get the timing right, though, since your legs and upper body should be moving toward each other at the same time.

On top of that, keep your shoulders relaxed. It’s really common to let them creep up toward your ears when things get tough, so try to actively pull them down as you go.

How to perform:

  • Sit on the mat and lean your torso back slightly, resting your weight on your hands with your palms flat and elbows bent behind you.
  • Keep your shoulders relaxed and pulled away from your ears.
  • Lift your feet off the floor and extend your legs straight out in front of you.
  • Simultaneously pull your knees in toward your chest while pushing your torso forward to form a tight “V” shape.
  • Extend your legs straight back out while leaning your torso back to the starting position.
10

Forearm Tail Wag

Back on your forearms for this one. You’ll keep your legs lifted and pressed together, then wag them gently from side to side.

The important thing to remember here is that the movement should come from your abs, not from swinging your whole body around. So think small, controlled wiggles rather than big sweeps.

This is also a great way to hit the sides of your lower stomach while still keeping the focus on that flat tummy goal.

How to perform:

  • Prop yourself up on your forearms, keeping your elbows under your shoulders.
  • Extend your legs straight out together and lift them just slightly above the floor.
  • Keep your legs pressed together and swing them slightly from side to side in a “wagging” motion.
  • Ensure the wiggling movement is controlled by your abs and avoid swinging your entire upper body.
11

Alt. Leg Drop

We’re in the home stretch of this lower stomach workout! This alternating version of the leg drop lets you focus on one side at a time, which is great for building balanced strength in your core.

You’ll lower one straight leg toward the floor while the other stays pointing up, and the real challenge is keeping your lower back glued to the mat the whole time.

If you feel your back starting to lift, try not lowering your leg quite as far. That’s just your abs telling you they’ve hit their limit for now, and that’s okay.

How to perform:

  • Lay flat on your back with your hands placed behind your head.
  • Extend both legs straight up toward the ceiling.
  • Keeping your leg perfectly straight, lower one leg down toward the floor until it hovers just above the mat.
  • Lift that leg back up to the starting position.
  • Keep your lower back pressed firmly into the floor and alternate legs for each drop.
12

Tap to Outstretch

This is it, the final push! You’ll start curled up in a little ball, then reach out long with your arms and legs before pulling everything back in.

It’s tough, but by this point your entire core is firing on all cylinders. Think of it as the grand finale of this lower tummy workout.

So give it everything you’ve got and finish strong. You made it through all 12 exercises, and that’s something to feel really good about!

How to perform:

  • Lay on your back and curl up into a small ball by bringing your knees to your chest and reaching your hands forward to tap your feet.
  • From that tucked position, simultaneously extend your legs straight out in front of you and reach your arms straight back past your ears.
  • Allow your outstretched arms and legs to hover just off the floor without touching it.
  • Pull your knees back in and reach your arms forward to tap your feet again, repeating the sequence.

Article Medically reviewed by

I’m fitness coach Ashley Castleberry, an NASM-certified personal trainer and nutritionist, as well as a coach on an established YouTube Channel with over 1 million followers. With certifications from major fitness brands, I specialize in athletic, HIIT, and strength training. Leveraging my experience coaching clients on lifestyle changes, I provide customized exercise and nutrition guidance to help people reach their fitness goals, whether that be weight loss, muscle gain or overall health improvement.

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Tonya McIntosh

Hi, I’m Tonya McIntosh — Founder of TGFFitness, NASM-certified Nutrition Coach, and Personal Trainer. With over 8 years of coaching experience, I’ve seen firsthand that the biggest challenge most people face isn’t starting — it’s staying consistent.

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