If you’re sick of your “keg” and want to get a six pack, try these simple exercises at home to define your abs.

1. Cardio

People often become overly focused on muscle building exercises when they are attempting to form six pack abs. While these exercises are important, cardio is also an essential component of getting a six pack.

The reason why cardio is important is because it helps with fat loss.

You can build up your abdominals, but if you have a layer of fat over them, you will not be able to see them.

Muscle building exercises help build your abdominals and increase your metabolism to help with fat loss. Cardio burns calories, which then burn fat.

2. Crunches

Crunches are a favorite among many exercisers because they are simple to do. They work the six pack, or rectus abdominis, and the transversus abdominis, the deepest abdominal muscles.

While crunches are one of the most common exercises, it’s also one of the most incorrectly done exercise. In order to do a perfect crunch, follow these tips:

1. Put your hands on the ground next to you, hug them across your chest or place them behind your head. If you hug them across your chest, do not grab and pull your shirt to help you up. If you place your hands behind your head, do not pull on your head because you may strain your neck.
2. Make sure your chin is off your chest. If you rest your chin against your chest, it may, again, strain your neck.
3. Pay attention to your breathing. Always exhale when you are going up and always inhale when you are going down.
4. Go slowly. Doing crunches should be treated as a race. When you are going up or down on a crunch, go slowly and feel your spine coil and uncoil.
5. Try different variations of crunches to add more difficulty. For instance, stretch your arms out straight or keep your legs on the ground. Both of these actions will increase the challenge of doing crunches.

3. Plank

The plank is all about building endurance in your core, which will tone your abs.

To form a plank, first lay down on your stomach on the floor or a mat with your arms out in front of you.

As you exhale, push your body up so that your legs are not touching the floor and you are resting on your forearms. Make sure your butt is not sagging or too high in the sky.

Hold the position for 20 to 60 seconds, repeating for three to five repetitions. Beginners should start off with the shortest duration and the fewest repetitions, gradually increasing the time and number of repetitions.

If you want to work your deeper abdominal muscles, try performing a few repetitions of the side plank.

To form a side plank, lie on the floor and prop your torso up using your forearm for support.

As you exhale, lift your hips and knees off of the floor, resting your weight on your forearm. Either lie your other arm on your side or, for more difficulty, stretch your arm out toward the sky.

Hold the pose for 20 to 60 seconds and repeat the exercise three to to five times.

4. Leg raises

Leg raises are a great exercise for your lower abdominal muscles, which are the abs people often neglect.

To get into position for leg raises, lie face-up on the floor with your legs straight and your arms to your sides. As you exhale, use your abdominal muscles to raise your legs off the floor.

Hold the pose for 20 to 60 seconds and repeat the exercise three to to five times, without letting your legs touch the floor.

For added stability, use a fitness ball and place your feet on the fitness ball. If you are a beginner, try bending your legs to make the exercise easier.

5. Bicycle kicks

Bicycle kicks combine the best of both worlds — weight training and cardio.

To begin, lie on your back on the floor. Bend your knees and make them parallel to the floor. Place your hands behind your head and use your abdominal muscles to lift your shoulders off the floor.

Making sure you continue breathing, begin alternatively bringing your knees toward your chest and then pushing them out straight, like you’re riding a bike. Each time you bring one knee to your chest, hold the position for one or two seconds. Continue alternating between each leg for a minute. Then, drop your shoulders to the floor and position your knees parallel to the floor again.

After a 10-to-15-second break, repeat the exercise.