Subtle Ways You're Training Your Abs Wrong The small ab training mistakes that make a big difference. Here's what they are and how to fix them.

We know. The basic abdominal floor crunch is old news at this point, and you want to take core training to the next level. Not a bad choice, considering almost all of our daily tasks require core strength (yes, even sitting at your desk).

According to Tom Holland, exercise physiologist and author of Beat The Gym: Personal Trainer Secrets Without the Personal Trainer Price Tag, the average American spends 56 hours per week sitting, which weakens the core—and that, in turn, makes daily activities tougher. But maintain strong abs, and you’ll help prevent back pain, boost your agility, increase your flexibility, and look good.

Before you get started, don’t forget the golden ab-workout rule: quality over quantity. It’s a myth that 2,000 fast-paced crunches a day will leave you with a washboard stomach. Holland recommends that, instead of ripping through the motions, you slow down for more effective results, building up to 30 second sets of quality crunches.

So now, we present five (very different) ab-crushing exercises—your out from boring floor crunches.

BDST: 1725 HRS, JAN 21, 2015