Hmm... I need to find out myself. I don't know what is the answer to that question. I'll do some investigation and get back to you if I discover an answer. You should email the people at Nutrisystem as they probably could give you help..

Try kettlebells. They are awesome for core strength (core is not just the abdominals) as well as effective fat loss tools...

Here is Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs doing burpees from "The Prison Workout." The ending had me laughing out loud..

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46VoS...eature=related..

Power yoga is great for core strength. I really miss it. I haven't been able to go to yoga since late last summer and I can see and feel a difference in core strength..

Another good core strengthening exercise that I was doing before I had to give it up is to get into the plank position with your forearms resting on a swiss ball. Let the ball roll forward (just a few inches) under your forearms until you feel it in your abs. Tighten your abs and butt for a count of 2 or 3 and then let it roll back. Do 2 sets of 20 and you'll see a difference pretty quickly. Make sure to keep your abs and glutes tight while you are under stress to protect your lower back...

When I'm on the recumbent exercise bike, I do the "drawing in" and hold it as tight as I can for 30 seconds. Because the bike has a digital readout, I can easily time the exercises, and I avoid doing it during the toughest parts of the workout. I repeat this a total of 12 times during my 32-minute program..

After doing it a week, I'm already noticing that my abdomen is feeling tighter and is less pronounced...

If you have access to a gym, a back extension machine is wonderful to build core strength...

When I'm on the exercise bike I work with free weights. Helps me maximize and pass the time...

Sorry to butt into the mens room,,... but I have something you may want to try... pilates. not very manly, I know, but it really strengthens your core. we have some guys in our group at the gym, but if you dont want to do that you could always buy a dvd to do in the privacy of your own home. if you aren't familiar with pilates, it is kinda of like yoga-ish,... but with less meditation and more toning...

Not to kid anyone here, but most everyone is trying indirect "core" strengthening. How about just direct work? Like crunches and leg raises?..

I think that any exercise the targets your midsection like crunches, some yoga positions, Pilates will help with your core..

I find crunches (both regular and side) and plank to be the best for me..

Try holding the plank position for 2 1/2 minutes...If you are doing it right, you will know.

Clark..

Well, I do my share of crunces everyday. The leg raises though put too much stress on my lower back..

By your image Niner...you look like you have done a few more crunches than I have though..

As for me, I was horribly obese for a long time and the toll that it took on my internal organs and muscles were drastic to say the least. I am just now getting to a weight that (while still obese) will allow me to start retraining not only my muscles, but everything else in my body..

I found this website:.

Http://www.ab-core-and-stomach-exerc...xercises-.html.

There is some good information about building up your core strength from the most internal parts first then progressing from there..

Lots of other crap on this website, but I just stick to the "14 tips", there is some great info in there that I think is valuable in getting myself back to a functional body. I'm not doing this for appearance....well maybe just a little,.

But more to the point, I would like to move in and out of chairs, cars, beds and other daily simple movements that have become quite a task in recent years..

It's a long road for me, but I'm trying to do it once and do it right...

Just sitting up straight and learning how to breathe correctly can help the core. I'm just old school. I don't really believe in ab machines and gimmicks to strengthen the core. If the muscle is trained correctly, it will get stronger..

BTW, I am a 49er fan and Giants fan being from the SF Bay Area and all...

Awesome!! always glad to have some fellow 49er/Giants fans in the house.

It's been rough for us lately, but both squads seem to be headed in the right direction for now. Should be fun watching some good young talent develop into legit stars. I should make it to 1 49er game and about half a dozen or so Giants games. I love the ferry boat ride across the bay, then docking in right field. Good times...