A 6-pack is beyond the goals that I'd like to attain, at least for the moment. All I'm aiming for is a flat stomach. My guess is that the purpose of abs exercises is to build up the muscle of the abs, and since I have a layer of fat lying on top of it, I'm thinking it would be better to just focus on cardio rather than to add crunches and leg raises to my workout. Other than for the purpose of burning calories, would abs exercises benefit me in terms of my goal?

A strong core (not just abs) is the foundation for all movement. So, yes.

I hear ya man....why build and/or develop an area that could just potentially cause your stomach area to get larger??

Some say it'll tighten and bring it in. I don't get that....more muscle tissue is MORE muscle. Do fibers get tighter just cause you use them? I dunno...I thought the idea is that if you use them they tear-down and re-build larger.

I myself do some core work just for the reason Tony mentioned...but I just figure I'm toning and keeping them active, they are, as he points-out, the core of all movement...plus ya never know when some punk will sneak-up and sucker-punch ya in the gut!

What he said

Thats why you can do things like isometrics (planks) rotational (woodchoppers) or anti-rotational (single leg) exercises.

Not to metion the fact that if you are resistance training (an integral part of any exercise regiment) you will need to strengthen your core just like any other muscle group in order to prevent muscle imbalaces and injury.

I totally agree with TM.

Like E. F. Hutton, when TM Speaks: LISTEN.



Chillen

Well, you can do certain exercises that use many parts of the body including the abdominal region.

I like exercises based on natural movement. Honestly, when, in real life, are you going to need to be able to do a sit-up for a functional purpose? When are you going to be relying solely on your abdominal muscles. Right. Never. So why then, should we isolate them in these ridiculous exercises that have us bending and rolling on the floor?

Now, I can see if you're really after a lot of super ab-definition, like Chillen for example , then you can benefit from ab isolating exercises. But as you said, you're not into that. If you do some lifts that use compound movements that include the abdominals, you will work them just fine.

The Deadlift is a great example. It requires a very strong core, and you will build a strong core doing them. Wood chops are also good. Whatever you do, pick exercises that mirror natural human movements. The deadlift is the equivalent of lifting a heavy box off the floor. The wood chop is the equivalent of, well, chopping wood or swinging a heavy object. Single leg dumbell squats are also good. You end up using your core for balance and support.

For your purposes, I really don't see the need for separate ab-isolating exercises. You will work them doing, other, more full body type exercises and they'll be doing what they were made to do: Support the rest of the body while it does work.

Honestly, I've come out of workouts where I've done no traditional "ab" exercises and my abs are burning the next day. It's not like they're not being used if you're not doing crunches. And I'll got pretty decent definition, for a girl...

Functional training is always great exercise, because it generally involves closed kinetic chain movements that utilize a greater amount of the supporting musculature (and as you said, mimics actual daily movements), but I disagree with you that you shouldn't target the core. While the core is exercised as part of other exercises, it is essential for all movements, and should be strengthened independently, to build a solid basis on which to perform other exercises. This applies to all exercises. Especially when considering major exercises like squats, dead lifts, and numerous Olympic and power lifts, it is even more important to have a core that is more capable at dealing with the loads of resistance during those exercises because the risk of strain/sprain and other injury is relatively higher. The core is a considered a major muscle group and should be exercised independently, just like any other muscle group.

^^ What he said.

blah blah blah, go buy yourself one of those medicine balls and youll be able to work your core and hundreds of muscles anywhere anytime.

yeah, do the basic lifts, but you should also work your core separately.

BikeSwimLaugh,

That is hilarious and so true about the sucker punch! LMAO.
but you guys are def right. you need to keep those abdominals strong. But why not gor the 6 pack, I mean ladies love them. I nice chisled stomach is great! not that my bf has one but his nice new tighter tummy is way nicer than his old big fat flabby one. LOL.