• A flat stomach can be attained with basic exercises.fitness blond 9 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  A flat, toned stomach is a common fitness and beauty ideal for men and women alike. Flattening your stomach requires the development of strong abdominal muscles. There are a few exercises that can be done without any special equipment that tone the abdominal muscles and consequently flatten the stomach.
  
  

Basic Crunch

• A common and well-known abdominal exercise, the Basic Crunch exercises the upper area of the abs and stomach. This exercise is performed laying on the floor with knees bent. Place your arms across your chest and then slowly raise and lower yourself with your abs. Inhale on the raise, and exhale as you lower yourself down. For maximum effectiveness, basic crunches should be done in 2-3 sets of 20-25 repetitions, with 90 second rests between set. Any more than this will exhaust your muscles and diminish the effectiveness of the exercise.
  
  

Reverse Crunch

• The Reverse Crunch is another effective exercise for flattening the stomach. This particular exercise works the lower abdominals and the rectus abdominals. Reverse crunches are performed lying on your back with legs straight up in the air, knees slightly bent and ankles crossed. Raise hips slowly toward the ceiling until they are about 2 inches off the floor. Hold this pose for about 2-3 seconds and then slowly lower the hips. Reverse crunches should be done in 2-3 sets of 20-25 repetitions, with a 90 second rests between each set.
  
  

Bicycle Exercise

• The Bicycle Exercise is an abdominal exercise that targets the rectus abdominals and the oblique abdominals. The bicycle exercise is performed laying on the floor, with hands behind the head and beginning with the knees placed at a 45-degree angle to the floor. Touch your right elbow to your left knee, and then your left elbow to your right knee in a pedaling motion. This exercise is best performed in 3-4 sets of 15-30 repetitions. Rest about 1-2 minutes between sets.