Upper ab exercises help define the top part of your six-pack. But let’s be real. Most people just do random crunches and hope for results. I did that too. Nothing changed. The truth is, you need moves that really hit the upper abs—no fluff, no wasted time. If your goal is a stronger core and visible abs, you’ve got to train smart. Keep reading. These upper ab exercises actually work—and I’ll show you how to do them right.
Top Upper Ab Exercises You Should Try
Upper ab exercises aren’t just about crunches. You need moves that actually hit the right spot. These ones do. They’re simple, fast, and you’ll feel them right away. Let’s get into it.
1. Bicycle Crunch
- Lie flat with hands behind your head
- Lift legs and bend knees
- Bring elbow to opposite knee, then switch
Tip: Keep your shoulders off the floor the whole time.
2. Toe Touch Crunch
- Lie on your back, legs straight up
- Reach both hands toward your toes
- Lift shoulders off the ground
Tip: Control the movement—don’t swing your legs.
3. V-Up
- Lie flat, arms overhead
- Lift legs and torso together
- Reach hands toward your feet
Tip: Keep your legs and arms as straight as you can.
4. Reverse Crunch to Sit-Up
- Lie down, knees bent
- Pull knees in and lift hips
- Roll up into a full sit-up
Tip: Move slow and steady from start to finish.
5. Cable Crunch
- Kneel under cable machine
- Hold rope by your forehead
- Crunch down, elbows toward knees
Tip: Let your abs do the work—not your arms.
6. Decline Bench Crunch
- Lie on a decline weight bench
- Cross arms or place hands behind head
- Crunch upward and lower slowly
Tip: Don’t sit all the way up—keep it tight and short.
How to Train Upper Abs Effectively
- Train 2–3 times a week
Your abs don’t need daily work. Like any muscle, they grow with rest. Two to three focused sessions per week are enough. Overtraining just leads to burnout—not better results. - Focus on slow, controlled reps
Don’t rush through the movement. Fast reps rely on momentum. Slow reps force your abs to engage more. You’ll feel the burn, and that’s where the growth starts. - Work your upper abs first
Always start with upper ab exercises when you’re fresh. Your core has more strength at the beginning, which means better form and stronger contractions. - Eat for definition
You can train hard, but if your diet is off, your abs won’t show. Cut processed food. Eat lean protein, veggies, and drink more water. Lower body fat means more visible results.
Honestly, upper ab exercises don’t need to be complicated. You just need the right moves and a bit of consistency. Stick to the plan. Train smart. Eat clean. Give it a few weeks—you’ll feel tighter, stronger, and leaner up top. Keep showing up. Your abs are coming.
I’m Riley Williams, an editor for Leadman Fitness where we engineer bespoke strength equipment tailored to unique training goals. My expertise lies in home gym solutions, mobility tools, and injury-prevention gear, shaped by 8 years as a strength coach and rehab specialist. I know how subtle design flaws—a knurling pattern that blisters hands or a bolt that loosens mid-session—can derail progress.
I bridge the gap between our production team and everyday athletes: surveying garage gym owners, analyzing wear patterns on returned gear, and pressure-testing prototypes with physical therapists. My content cuts through marketing hype, focusing on practical fixes—whether you’re retrofitting a basement gym or sourcing commercial equipment that survives 24/7 use. If it’s in our catalog, I’ve stress-tested it myself.