The best ab exercises for women are those workouts which help shape their stomach muscles to give it significant definition instead of making it all visible.
However, what most women don't understand is that it takes a whole lot more than just crunches and sit ups to flatten the stomach. Will it strengthen your ab muscles? Indeed! However, most women aim to have a flat and defined core that is not too muscular.
The best ab exercises for women when it comes to that are stomach strengthening exercises. Here's a list of a few good exercises that work for many women:
Ab Bridges (a.k.a. Plank Holds) - hold this position for at least 1 minute before doing it another 2 more times. Aim to reach a maximum of 2 and a half minutes
Side Ab Bridges - hold this position for at least 1 and half minutes on each side before doing it another 2 more times and aim for a maximum of 3 minutes when you are used to it
Lying Oblique Leg Raises - aim for 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each leg
Plank Holds using an Exercise Ball - aim for the same set amount of time and reps as the Plank Holds on top
Ab Flutter Kicks - do 3 sets of 20 reps
If you want to get these exercises to do the job you want it to, it's best that you distribute them out in a way which you can do all of them in just 3 days of the week doing each exercise at least three to four times.
Women do not necessarily have to exercise for extra hours in order to get in shape. Even walking as a form of cardio will help take out much calories in a woman.
More Helpful Advice
As you could have already known, in order for ab work outs to pay off, you have to do a few other things to lose the fat around the abdominal region to flatten your stomach. Losing fat comes best when done it two ways - eating healthy and doing cardio workouts such as jogging.
Attempt to do circuit training, interval training, and other forms of cardio combined with a good diet to lose fat efficiently. Keep in mind that Rome wasn't built in a day and the same applies to developing your abs. It takes consistency and dedication to achieve anything in life.