Another great stomach flattening exercise is the twister. This might be a little harder for beginners, so make sure that you feel comfortable doing this before you proceed. While toning your stomach will hurt a bit, there is a difference between the ache of sore muscles and an injury. Doing stomach flattening exercises correctly and at a moderate level for beginners can help prevent injury.
For the twister, you need to lie down on your back. Hold your hands together behind your head. Crossing your ankles you need to raise your legs so that your feet are slightly higher than your knees. As you lift your head and shoulders up off of the floor slightly, contract your stomach muscles and twist your upper body to the right to touch your left elbow to your right knee. Relax and return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise put with the opposite side. Do 10 to fifteen repetitions of this exercise.