It even helps you preserve your independent lifestyle.

If you’re eager to get your core into shape, listen up and fire up those abs!

The below total core workout for flatter abs is West’s signature ab series.

fit middle-aged woman doing core workout by the water, concept of workouts for flatter abs after 40

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Crunches

Start this ab series by lying flat on your back.

Bend your knees, and plant your heels hip-width apart on the floor.

Your toes should point up.

crunches

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Place your fingers behind your neckwithout interlacing themand lift your head off the ground.

Crunch up as you bring your chin toward your chest, then lower back down.

Complete 10 reps.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

2.

reverse crunches

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Reverse Crunches

Next, West instructs you to lower your neck and raise your legs to 90 degrees.

Perform 10 reverse crunches, making sure to keep your knees together.

Crunches with Legs Up

Extend your legs straight up and keep them together as you perform 10 more crunches.

crunches legs raised

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Right about now, you’ll start to feel the total core burn!

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5.

Crunches with Legs Together

Bring your legs back together and keep them fully extended for 10 crunches.

crunches legs raised and apart

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Perform 10 crunches from this position.

Crunches

Now, it’s time to move back to where you started.

Drop your feet down, and perform 10 crunches with your knees bent and heels on the ground.

side-to-side ab crunches

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Planks

You’ll begin this workout withplanks, which will get your core burning.

Begin in a high plank with your hands under your shoulders and your body forming a straight line.

confirm your back doesn’t cave in as you hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds.

high plank

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Perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps.

2.

Your legs should be lifted and your knees bent.

Raise your head, shoulders, and neck off the floor.

illustration of bicycle crunches

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Crunch the right side of your body up as you bring your right elbow and opposite knee together.

Extend your right leg at the same time.

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3.

illustration of superman back extensions exercise

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Standing Side Crunches

The standing side crunch begins with you standing tall and planting your feet shoulder-width apart.

Place your hands behind your head.

Repeat the same motion on the opposite side.

Perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps.

4.

Superman

The last movement in this total core workout for flatter abs after 40 is the Superman.

Lie flat on your tummy with your arms extended ahead of you and your legs straight.

Raise your chest, arms, and legs off the floor as high up as you could go.

Squeeze your lower back and buttocks as you hold this position for a moment before releasing.

Perform three sets of 10 to 12 reps.