The “core” is a collection of hundreds of muscles – the abs (all layers), lower to mid back, upper pelvic region, the obliques and the world famous 'love handles' areas are loaded with muscles of all different sizes, shapes, lengths and angles. All these muscles require specific core exercises to get the desired core strength training effect.

The wonderful thing about these muscles is that they are placed so closely together and some of them are even placed one behind the other in a layered fashion. When all these are worked on properly with the right exercise program you will get an amazing core. No doubt about it. But the question is when?

Unlike most so called “core” fitness workouts that are now so prevalent, the best core exercises are the ones that work on everyone of these muscles and collectively build the entire core of the body.

Avoiding your upper, middle and lower core - the love handles - the obliques - the lower and mid back areas will not only make it impossible for you to get killer abs, but also can lead to serious injury. And you think these injuries are rare? People get injured everyday because of the lack of proper guidance when it comes to workout, and that’s one reason why physio-therapists are so busy nowadays.

The best core workouts don’t even require a single machine or some silly but expensive gadgets.

But the only thing these exercises need is our body, our natural movement patterns and how your muscles work in real world gravity. In other words, ideal core workouts can be done anywhere, anytime.

One of the biggest mistakes folk like me make is that they try to mimic the technique of body builders and power lifters. The fact that most people don’t realize is that they are not bodybuilders or power lifters. In the process they tend to over train themselves leading to a lot of wasted time and injuries that are serious and injuries that sometimes even last for a long time.

A proper abs workout should be able to most effectively work out the entire mid-section and core, in minimal amount of time with no risk of injuries. Finding such an exercise is very difficult but here are some things you should focus on when planning your core workout.

1. Choose a collection of core workouts that will work on your entire midsection. These exercises should provide you with proper stimulus to become lean, defined, flat, strong and solid.

2. There a certain exercises that are specifically responsible for creating those lines that give the abs that “six pack” look.

3. There are several functional moves that create the small diagonal muscles on the sides of the ribcage.

4. Exercises that target the love handles, those that reduce them to zero or at least firm them up.

5. Any time, anywhere Core workouts.

6. Exercises those are appropriate for both men and women.

7. The core exercises should be workable on behalf of the person doing it. Many trainers and fitness freaks misinterpret the word ‘killer’ as in ‘killer ab workout’. A truly effective core workout should not kill the person doing it. No injuries, no six days worth of soreness.

8. Choose a blend of exercises that will build you in a balanced way, on every side of your abs.

9. Choose specific exercises that are derived from injury rehab programs. These exercises should be able to strengthen and tone the deepest layers of the ab, the core and the most sensitive muscles of the lower back region.