Women always hear about the best way to get that flat stomach and men always hear about ways to get a six pack. Having a strong core is important to your entire body. A strong core will allow you to keep optimal body alignment for any activity you are involved in. It will also reduce your fatigue in the long run. The core is not only your abs, the core includes 32 muscles. Keeping all those muscles in good shape will benefit your abs.
For those who just want to work their abs the best exercises are:
1. The Bicycle
Lying flat on your back, raise your knees to a 45-degree angle. Move your legs in a bicycle-pedaling motion, while touching your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.
2. The Captain’s Chair
This is a gym equipment. Grip the handholds of the equipment lightly and keep your lower back pressed against the back pad. Allow your legs to dangle below, then slowly lift your knees toward your chest in a controlled motion. Slowly return your knees to the starting position.
3. Crunch on Exercise Ball
Lie with your back on the exercise ball so that your thighs and torso are parallel to the floor. With your hands behind your head, or crossed over your chest, tuck your chin in toward your chest and contract your abdominals. Your torso should raise no more than 45 degrees from the ball. To vary difficulty, move your feet wider apart or closer together.
4. Vertical Leg Crunch
These crunches (along with the reverse crunch below) put less stress on the back than typical crunches. Lying flat with your back on the floor and your hands behind your head, extend your legs straight up, crossed at the ankle with a slight bend in the knees. Lift your torso toward your knees, contracting your abdominal muscles and keeping your chin off your chest.
5. Reverse Crunch
Lying flat on the floor with your back on the ground, put your hands beside your head or extend them flat by your sides. Cross your feet at the ankles and lift your knees to a 90-degree angle. Press your lower back to the floor and contract your abs so your hips rotate and your legs reach toward the ceiling.
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/07/03/07/the-best-and-worst-exercises-for-your-abs.htm
