best abs exercise /core

I'm interested in the Core Performance book, but I see that there is a new book out by the same guy called Core Performance Essentials.  Amazon says it is a more "streamlined" version of the first book, but I'm not exactly sure what that means.  Does anyone have experience with both and prefer one or the other?

I just got Core Performance from the library and there are a LOT of exercises. Like.. hundreds. And there is not much in the way of structure.. you kind of have to make up your own workout by picking and choosing exercises. From what I've read about Core Performance Essentials, it is a pared down (more streamlined) version of this.. with set workouts etc. But I have no experience with the latter... just my postulations.

The first Core Performance book does have structured workouts for months at a time. If you browse it at a bookstore, just look in the back. 

It does.. but you need to constantly flip back to the exercise pages to find out what the exercises in the workouts actually are (ie., the workouts don't have pretty pictures). I found that to be a bit of a pain, personally. But then again, I'm lazy

my trainer told me today about a series of abs exercises called the " 7degrees to hell." very simple, 7 different basic abs exercises done 10 for each and repeat X 3. like crunches, crunches with arms extended straight up, arms going to side of opposite leg,( both sides) butterlfys , leg up ankle on oppistie, crunches and one more i'm forgetting. it' a major endurance athlete routine and she's got tights six abs so i'm doing them everyday from now on and we'll see. i got a massage and he told that i have a strong back but my abs need work to relieve some of the back pain. so here goes. i also started losing weight and it's important to tighten things there.

My sister found this thing somewhere on the internet and sent it to me - it's called 8 minute abs. Its a continuous set of different crunches for 45 seconds each, until the 8 minutes is up. It's pretty good - not a ton of results yet, but I like that it works everything and is so short Just my 2 cents!


Megz

There is a something called the "Abs Diet" which was developed by the editor of Mens Health magizine. It says that your core is divided into five sections :Upper, lower, obliques, transverse abdominus and lower back. Here are some examples of exercises...

Upper:raised leg crunches (just like the original, but keep your feet 6 inches off the ground)

Lower: leg raises (lay down on your back and put your feet 6 inches off the ground. Now push your pelvis into the ground and alternate each leg bending at the the knee into your chest than back down to 6 inches above the ground

Obliques: lay down in (hard to explain) sideways sit up position and lift your legs up, hold, down

Transverse Abdominus: The bridge (basically you are in the pushup position but on your elbows not your hands (hold position for one minute)

Lower Back: Back Extensions (you can use a yoga ball for this) basically you go from a curled position and extend your back so that you are straight then relax.

The main thing to remember is that when doing these exercises, it is important to go slowly. When I do them, I say to myself "slow and controlled" as I crunch (or whatever).

Hope this helps