Okay guys, here is the skinny.
TECHNICALLY, all you need to do is SQUATS AND DEADLIFTS.
We all know this, but it's bullshit if you want a core that pops. A real sense of definition in your abs and obliques.
So, we have concluded that we need direct core work.
There are two kinds of this - isometric core work, and ACTUAL core work.
Isometric is a good follow up to ACTUAL core work.
So your PLANKS, HANGING LEG RAISES, STOMACH VACUUMS, AB-WHEEL OUTS, L-SITS, HOLLOW BODIES, etc are all ISOMETRIC AB EXERCISES.
They work by forcing your abs to stabilize your body, much in the same way your abs are used doing heavy SQUATS and DEADLIFTS.
But if you really wanna make them grow, and pop, you need DIRECT ABDOMINAL and OBLIQUE WORK.
These come in the form of exercises that force the muscles to contract and can be easily progressively overloaded.
We're looking at things like WEIGHTED CRUNCHES, RUSSIAN TWISTS WITH PLATES, and others of these varieties.
You want to do exercises that force the use of the abdominal muscles at the WAIST (crunches) not the HIP (hanging leg raises).
The best form are those that can have additional weight added for building the muscles stronger.
So, the KINGS of ABDOMINALS and OBLIQUE exercises are WEIGHTED CRUNCHES (decline if you like to live on the edge) and PLATE RUSSIAN TWISTS.
No WONDER they've been used since the DAWN of FITNESS.
You can TRUST me, guys.
>pic related: me and mah abs