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It's All About the Abs - Abdominal Exercise Equipment That
Really Works By C.J. Gustafson
Abdominal Exercise Equipment
That Really Works There have
been many studies and reports
about how our society as a
whole has grown heavier and
chubbier. The stomach, in
particular, has become a trouble
spot for many people. This
is due in part to the fact
that many of us have desk
jobs where we rarely use our
stomach and abdomen muscles.
For others, this is where
the excess fat, brought on
by the fast food and extra
beers, settles in our bodies.
Whatever the reason for our
big bellies, there has been
a host of abdominal exercise
equipment and gadgets to help
do away with stomach flab.
Some of these techniques and
equipment work better than
others. This article will
help you sort through the
hype. Before beginning a discussion
of abdominal exercises and
equipment, it is important
to point out that even the
best ab machine will not help
you loose fat in your stomach
area. Abdominal exercise equipment
can tone and shape your muscles,
but the only way to loose
the fat is to consume more
calories than you take in.
Exercise will help you do
this, but it is a total body
process, not targeted to certain
areas. It is also important
to note, that for many people,
a flat stomach is not in their
genetics, even if they are
in good physical shape. Some
stomachs have a small curve,
and all the crunches in the
world won’t change that. However,
the exercises and equipment
discussed below will help
tone, strengthen and define
your abdominal muscles. Abdominal
Exercises & Equipment There
are many different types of
ab exercisers and equipment.
One of the most effective
of these, the Roman Chair,
is not strictly an ab machine.
It is a common piece of equipment
found at the gym but it can
be used to perform a very
effective ab exercise. The
Roman Chair is a somewhat
taller machine with two stationary,
parallel arms and a straight,
padded back. There is nothing
to sit on. When working on
abs, the best way to use this
piece of equipment is to place
your forearms flat on each
armrest, with your back firmly
against the padding. You should
have the Roman Chair set high
enough that your legs dangle
straight down when you are
in position. Then slowly bring
your knees toward your chest
as far as you can go and hold
for a few seconds before extending
them to the beginning position.
This exercise was number two
in a San Diego State University
survey that ranked the top
abdominal exercises and equipment.
According to the survey, the
best ab exercise is the Bicycle
maneuver. Many of you are
probably familiar with this
fun exercise. We’ve been doing
it since we were kids in gym
class, and it turns out, the
bicycle is one of the most
effective exercises for working
those abdominal muscles. To
do the exercise correctly,
lie on a mat and press your
lower back flat. Put your
hands beside your head. Tighten
your abdominal muscles and
bend your knees toward your
chest until they are at about
a 45-degree angle. Bring your
right elbow in contact with
your left knee. Then alternate
with the opposite knee and
elbow and repeat. You should
feel it in your sides and
abs. Leg Crunches are similar
to the Bicycle, but with crunches,
your torso does most of the
movement. Lie on the mat again
with your lower back pressed
flat. Place your hands at
your sides or by your head,
whichever is more comfortable.
Be sure not to put any pressure
on your arms or you will take
away from the effectiveness
of the exercise. Lift your
legs straight up above your
head and bend your knees slightly.
Squeeze your abdominal muscles
and then lift your torso up
off the mat toward your knees.
Return to the original position
with your back flat on the
mat. Relax your abdominal
muscles and then repeat. Remember
to breathe during the exercise.
Crunches can also be done
on an exercise ball and many
feel it is more effective
than standard crunches. You
sit on the ball and place
your feet on the floor about
a foot apart. Roll back carefully
on the ball until you are
lying with your back fully
extended on the ball. Tighten
your abdominal muscles and
raise your trunk off the ball
to about a 30-degree angle.
Return to the extended position
and repeat. Exercise balls
are one of the most versatile
and effective pieces of fitness
equipment relative to their
cost. Another low cost equipment
alternative is a stretch band.
These are just what they sound
like, a stretchy band made
of lycra, nylon or sometimes
rubber. Sometimes called resistance
bands, they allow you to work
one muscle group while the
resistance of the band stabilizes
the opposing muscles. It is
good for stretching and strengthening
muscles and is often used
with beginners and those who
have experienced an injury.
If you are looking for something
a bit more high-tech, there
are several pieces of equipment
made especially to work the
abs. There are the Ab Crunch
Machine and the Back and Ab
Machine. Both of these pieces
of abdominal exercise equipment
have been designed to support
the lower back and the neck.
They also come with adjustable
resistance settings. The Ab
Slider, Ab Wheel, and Ab Trainer
are other examples of equipment
designed to target abdominal
muscles. As with most types
of fitness equipment, their
effectiveness often is dependant
upon correct usage and, in
some cases, combining them
with other abdominal exercises.
It is important to fully research
the equipment and read instructions
before using. The quest for
six-pack abs and flat stomachs
has intensified over the past
few years. In response, the
fitness industry has resurrected
some old, faithful exercises,
developed new and improved
versions, and even created
equipment specifically to
target abdominal muscles.
Combine these top abdominal
exercises with an overall
exercise routine and a healthy
diet, and chances are you
will loose the flab and have
a stronger, more shapely mid
section in a matter of months.
About the Author: C.J. Gustafson
is a successful freelance
fitness writer for Fitness-N-Exercise-Equipment.com,
your complete guide to the
best home fitness equipment.
Find out where to shop for
the best recumbent exercise
bikes, ab machines and weight
training equipment for your
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