There have been many studies and reports about how our society as a whole has grown heavier and chubbier. In particular, we find that people battle against the tummy bulge. Most of us sit at a desk all day, and have no use of our abdominal muscles. Many people only eat a diet loaded with fatty foods and extra beers. Whatever the excuse for our love handles are, one thing is sure, there are a lot of abs exercise equipment designed to help get rid of the belly flab. Some of these techniques and equipment work better than others, just like any other product, a few work better than others. Hopefully, after reading this, you will have a better time knowing the difference.
Losing fat in your stomach area will not be done by abdominal exercises and abs exercise equipment. Burning more calories than you take in is the only sure way to lost fat, whereas abs exercise equipment works solely to tone and shape muscles. Although exercise will help you to accomplish this, it is process that affects the whole body, not just 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. No matter how many crunches are done, some people always keep a small pouch in their abdominals. However, the exercises and equipment discussed below will help tone, strengthen and define your abdominal muscles.
Abdominal Exercises & Equipment
Abs exercises and abs exercise equipment can be found in many different varieties. One of the most effective of these, the Roman Chair, is not strictly an ab machine. You can find this piece of a equipment at any health club and use it to perform ab exercises. The Roman Chair is comprised of two stationary, parallel arms and a straight, padded back and is somewhat tall. There is not a seat.
Thebest way to use this type of abs exercise equipment, is to place your forearms flat on the armrests with your back firmly against the back of the machine. You should have the Roman Chair set high enough that your legs dangle straight down when you are in position. Once you are in position, lift your knees to your chest and hold the position before lowering them to the beginning position. In a San Diego State University study that ranked the top abdominal exercises and abs exercise equipment, this exercise was ranked number two.
This survey listed the Bicycle maneuver as the number one ab exercise. Many people are familiar with this common and fun exercise. As it turns out, this familiar exercise is surprisingly one of the best exercise for working your abdominal muscles. Doing the exercise correctly requires you to lay on a mat and press your 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. Starting with the alternating elbow and knee, repeat. You should feel it in your sides and abs.
Leg Crunches are like the the Bicycle but with crunches, your upper body 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. The exercise will lose it’s effectiveness if you put pressure on your arms.
Lifting your legs perpendicular to your head, bend your knees slightly. Contract your ab muscles and then lift your torso up toward your knee. Return to the original position with your back flat on the mat. Relax your abs for a second and repeat. Breathing is one thing not to be neglected.
An exercise ball is another tool used for crunches that many feel is more effective than standard crunches. Once you are sitting on the ball, your feet should be about a foot apart on the ground. Start by rolling your back cautiously on the ball until you are lying on your back fully extended. Contract your ab muscles and raise your torso up off the ball until you are at about a 30-degree angle. Return to the extended position and repeat.
Because of the relatively low price and versatility, exercise balls are a great piece of abs exercise equipment. Stretch bands are another alternative for low cost fitness equipment. These are just what they sound like, a stretchy band made of lycra, nylon or sometimes rubber. Stretch bands, or resistance bands as they are commonly called, use resistance allowing you to work a muscle group while stabilizing the opposing muscle. Beginners or people who have experienced injuries are able to use these bands along with people who just want to strengthen and stretch their muscles.
Some people prefer something a little more advanced and there are certain pieces of abs exercise equipment made to work specifically 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 the Ab Trainer are different varieties of equipment made to focus on the abdominal muscles. Just as with other exercise equipment, best results can be found with proper use and the addition of other abdominal exercises. It is important to fully research the equipment and read instructions before using.
In recent years, six-pack abs have been all the rage. Because of this the fitness community has worked overtime creating new products, reinventing old exercises, utilizing the old ones all in effort to target the abs. With a combination of these recommended abdominal exercises, regular exercise and a healthy you will quickly lose extra fat and tone your tummy.