Is there a good way to tighten ab muscles without risking injury to

the back or neck?

Thx!

make a consious effort to hold it in. It will go a long way to tighting up your abs.

First, if you're doing crunches by using your hands behind your head to push your head up towards your chest or knees, that's bad. Do seated leg lifts or hanging leg lifts (add a twist to hit those obliques). At the gym, use one of the ab machines (Nautilus, Hammer Strength, Icarus, etc), or you can use one of the pulleys with a two handed rope (your back and neck should stay fairly isolated, bending at the waist). If you don't know how, ask someone. Most gym rats, trainers, etc. like to help.

:)

I recently had neck surgery and my physical therapist gave me two ab exercises that have helped a lot.

Lie on your back and bring your knees up loosely, keeping your head and neck firm on the floor. Hold one knee with your hands laced over it and apply pressure from your knee to your hand, away from yourself, tightening your abs for a count of five. Do this with both knees ten times or however many you are comfortable with. (wish I could post a diagram)

The other has you bring your knees up like before. With your arms straight beside you, raise them up and down for a count of 20 or so - they don't have to go way up, just like you are pushing down on something next to you. Hard to describe but you can definitely feel it in the abs.

They've helped me tighten my abs quite a bit at a time when I cannot do regular crunches.

There are actually things to do beyond boring repetitive t.v. machines . Walking believe it or not is helpfull for upper body tone

Oh wait, that's my problem. I don't know. I kind of tried everything and my waist (measurement anyway) is fine, but my little bitty tummy is still there. Years ago, at this weight, it was flat. I think my rectus abdominis muscles were just shot when it grew to 47 inches the first time around.
If I were telling a man without this problem though, I'd say crunches and sit-ups.

It's amazing how just one class a week can tighten your abs. I never would have believed it if I hadn't experienced it.

Yoga helps too, but if you're in this for quick vanity Pilates is your bet