Getting a strong midsection takes the right mix of ab workouts for women that work together to tone the entire area. Instead of cranking out dozens of sit-ups, we’re about to make-under your ab routine. For the first two weeks, do two to three circuits of the first four moves. They're not just lower ab workouts for women; Together they hit all four ab muscle groups. These moves get a little harder and the reps get higher for week three, plus there's an exercise added in. Same for week four, except this time you'll add two more moves to your session. By that week, expect two to three circuits of seven moves with the max challenge and reps. No sweat—you'll be ready for the next-level ab workout for women.

But regardless of how tight your core is, even the best abs workouts for women can't erase fat that lies above (subcutaneous) or below them (visceral fat). Those you'll have to tackle separately—and according to research, the best belly fat-targeter method is Tabata intervals. Maximum-effort cardio intervals raise your level of adrenaline, the fight-or-flight hormone that's the secret sauce to burning fat.