The Plank

This builds endurance in both the abs and back, as well as stabilizer muscles.

1. Lie face down on mat resting on the forearms, palms flat on the floor.

2. Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows.

3. Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels.

4. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air.

5. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.

I use this move while watching tv sometimes. I copied the text from this site: http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises_10.htm

How about the good old fashioned ab roller. Have you ever tried the 10-minute abs videos?

My favorite are decline weighted or medicine ball sit-ups followed by hanging knee raises. And of course, like Toby mentioned, the plank. But trying lifting a hand or foot off the ground occasionally. Definitely makes it harder.

Sara,

I'm a Pilates instructor and there is nothing better for your core than a good pilates workout.  I have a lot of top athletes come to my class on all levels to stabilize their core and strengthen in between workouts and sports.  It's a great workout with minimal body strain. Find a good trainer or even any Gaiam dvd would help.  Best of luck!

~Paulette

Throwdowns are hard and they require a partner, but if your desperate a heavy table works although it just isnt as good a workout because the partner is supposed to throw your legs down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQbQVgsRZ4

theres also the classics:

V sit ups

crunches

crunches w/ feet in the air

side crunches and side crunches w/ feet in the air

planks

side planks

pushups

the pole vaulters at my high school do three sets with thirty reps each but it's a good idea to start light if you are justbeginning to work your ab muscles