Best abs exercises with no equipment

Exercises where abs are a main mover and that need no equipment at all, only your body weight. Best muscle growth rating first, with more weight on ratings several sources agree on. The full abs ranking covers every kind of equipment.

  1. 1Reverse crunch, start positionReverse crunchTrunk flexionNo equipmentSolid; a reasonable default. Also works hip flexors.
    Growth
    3.3 3 sources
  2. 2RKC plank, start positionRKC plankAnti-extensionNo equipmentSolid; a reasonable default. Also works obliques and glutes.
    Growth
    3.0 2 sources
  3. 3Trunk-curl sit-upTrunk flexionNo equipmentSolid; a reasonable default. Also works obliques.
    Growth
    3.0 1 source
  4. 4Floor crunch, start positionFloor crunchTrunk flexionNo equipmentSolid; a reasonable default.
    Growth
    2.8 6 sources
  5. 5Dead bug, start positionDead bugAnti-extensionNo equipmentBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works hip flexors.
    Growth
    2.0 1 source
  6. 6V-up, start positionV-upTrunk flexionNo equipmentBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works hip flexors.
    Growth
    2.0 2 sources
  7. 7Mountain climber, start positionMountain climberAnti-extensionNo equipmentPoor stimulus; little growth even near failure. Also works front delts and hip flexors.
    Growth
    1.0 1 source
  8. 8Sit-up, start positionSit-upTrunk flexionNo equipmentBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works hip flexors.
    Growth
    2.0 3 sources
    Injury risk
    3.0 1 source
  9. 9Plank, start positionPlankAnti-extensionNo equipmentBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works front delts.
    Growth
    2.0 4 sources
  10. 10Bicycle crunch, start positionBicycle crunchTrunk flexionNo equipmentBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works obliques and hip flexors.
    Growth
    1.5 2 sources
  11. 11Lying leg raise, start positionLying leg raiseTrunk flexionNo equipmentBelow average; better options exist for every goal. Also works hip flexors.
    Growth
    1.5 2 sources