Now that the important part is out of the way, let's get down to exercises and workouts. First of all, I would suggest working your abs no more than 2 or 3 times per week, if even that much. There is no need to work them any more than that. I know, a lot of people work their abs every single day. These people are wasting their time and are the people who aren't aware that spot reduction isn't possible. There's people like that in every gym. Ignore them.
I personally only train my abs directly twice a week, and that's what I typically recommend.
And about reps, there is no need to do 100 crunches. Abs are a muscle just like any other muscle. Do you do 100 reps on the bench press? I didn't think so. Instead of wasting all of your effort on doing an insane number of reps, focus on doing slow and controlled reps where you are really being sure to contract and squeeze the ab muscles each rep. Remember, this isn't what's going to give you a flat stomach and visible six pack abs. This is just what's going to make your abs strong, which is still a very good thing.
Now, if your concern is that doing 20 or so reps (instead of your usual 1,000,000) of something like crunches will be way too easy for you, make it harder. One way to do this is to add weight. Try holding a weight either on your chest or behind your head when doing crunches. When you get to a point where that feels way too easy as well, increase the weight a little. If this sounds at all familiar, it's because this is the same method used for building and strengthening every other muscle of your body. Abs are no different.
As for ab exercises themselves, you probably noticed I've only mentioned crunches. That's because they are simple (no equipment needed) and equally as effective as any other ab exercise. Do them to the side, do them with your legs in the air, do them weighted. It's all fine and good and effective. I'm also a fan of hanging leg raises, jack-knife crunches (doing a crunch while pulling your knees towards your face), side bends and some sort of weighted twist. I very rarely use any kind of machine.
Oh, and speaking of machines...
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