1. Rectus abdominis - commonly known as abs, this is a large flat muscle wall that runs from lower chest to pubic bone.

2. Obliquus abdominis - commonly known as obliques, this muscle runs diagonally along side of mid-section from lower ribcage to pubic area. The internal obliques lie underneath external obliques.

3. Transversus abdominis - this is a thin strip of muscle that runs horizontally across abdomen.

You can target these muscles effectively by performing following exercises:

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over years, all better.