Originally Posted by koffee brown
If all you want to do is work your core, there's no need for a bowflex. You'd be better off with a pilates reformer (It'll just cost ya, that's all). If you're insisting on a machine, that's the option. Or else get the stability ball and educate yourself on how to do abs.
Unless you're basically an expert in pilates I wouldn't bother with the reformer - way too expensive and it'll be pretty useless (and rather intimidating) for a beginner. If you're interested in pilates - and it is a super core workout - I would suggest getting some one-on-one training with a qualified instructor.
My advice is the same as everyone else's, just grab a stability ball and some basic weights - it won't look very impressive, but it's cheap and it most definitely gets the job done. More importantly, it delivers a better core workout than any sort of exercise bench etc because you have to keep your core muscles constantly engaged or you'll basically fall off the ball.