Core strength

Yes. I believe core strength does tighten your abs, but from the inside out. You get a more thorough workout, but it can take longer to see results. That's how it works for me anyway.

It's all about abs!. I think the whole reason people are focusing so much on "core strength" is that it's just the new way to say "work on your abs." It somehow makes it seem less daunting than doing a bunch of crunches - but really, when you are doing a lot of those Pilates exercises, that's what they are - glorified crunches.

Core and Abs. These two are the same, but the core really communicates the whole torso and ab area. The key is to isolate your movements, so you build that area in the sense it is stronger. Pilates, I think, started the core concentration. Which makes sense because dancers need a very strong core structure, yet they do not just concentrate on their abs. They concentrate on posture, lifting and holding in their tummies.