Reason #6: Ab muscles don't need to be 'isolated' unless there is a need to fix an imbalance or rehab an injury. However, if ab isolation exercises are needed, crunches and situps will not stimulate the abs in the most optimal way to make them stronger.
Since the primary function of the abdominal muscles is to stabilize the spine, any ab-targeted training should include exercises that help the abs become stronger at stabilizing the spine.
Crunches and situps do not improve the abs' ability to stabilize.
But plank variations, side plank variations, compound exercises like pushups, squats & deadlifts, AND the exercise below all help greatly with beneficial abdominal strength.
Another crunch replacement exercise: CABLE WOOD CHOP
*This movement helps to use the abs for creating power (accelerated, downward motion), as well as resisting rotation (decelerated, upward motion)
... place a handle on a cable machine, the cable adjusted to an elevated position
... grab the handle with both hands - keeping arms straight, forcefully pull the handle down and across the body to a spot next to the outside knee (accelerate!!)
... make sure that the hips turn 90 degrees, the foot pivots, and the knees bend
... with control, return the handle to the upright position (decelerate!!)
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