These are combination of four exercises that are extremely good for toning your abs. They effectively workout different areas of your abs. Best benefits are derived when they are done after a warm up session.

Lie down straight on your back. Keep your feet apart, with the distance between them equal to the  width of your shoulders. Now raise your torso upwards and reach for your legs.

Basically, the aim is to allow your hands to reach in between your legs every time you come upwards. As soon as the hands reach between the legs, go back to your initial position again.

Perform these repetitions of coming up and going back down repeatedly and at a reasonably fast pace. However, make sure you do not strain your back or neck muscles.

The bicycle exercise shapes the lower abs. Lie down straight on your back to do this. Keep your head as well as hands firmly on the floor, do not raise them. Keep your feet straight on the floor initially. Now lift one leg upwards bending the knee, till is reaches your chest.

Then quickly, bring it back to the original position on the floor simultaneously lifting the other leg in a similar fashion. Alternately, lift each leg at a quick pace, bringing each close to your chest. Perform as many repetitions you are comfortable with.

Lie down on your back and lift your legs straight up in the air. It is quite difficult to hold your legs completely straight. There will be a slight bend at the knees in your legs.

If you cannot hold them straight, raise only your thigh straight up with your knees bent at an angle of 90 degrees. Now raise your torso upwards, and try to touch your feet or knees. Perform quick movements, but carefully.

Lie down on your back and keep your feet on the floor with the knees bent. Your feet should be apart at a distance that equals the width of your shoulders.

Now raise your torso and extend your hand to reach for your thighs. The important point here is that you will be reaching the outer end of your thighs, and not in between your legs.

So you would be essentially coming upwards and moving slightly outwards to reach for your thighs. This exercise is very good for toning down the obliques or love handles.