Is the Ab Lounge just another ineffective ab machine?

 abs machine  Comments Off
Dec 142011
 

Some abs machines are so basic you instantly know how to use them once you see them. Some, on the other hand, can take us a little time to figure out. While the exercise machines are designed to fit everybody’s needs in toning up the muscles, manyof them are not very effective and only waste our money. We are talking about the ab machines here that we usually find on the Internet and in infomercials.

Since the time that exercise machines have become portable, they have become more popular because who won’t like a machine that is so compact you can slide it under your bed or stand it on one corner of your room after your workout. The previous exercise home machines were larger, heavier, and of course more expensive. So there came the smaller types. They also have become more affordable and with regards to their structures, generally, abs machines have now greater support either for your back, your knees, neck, head and elbows.

On the other hand, we may see that some ab machines have enough support to make your abs workout comfortable, but some actually make it too comfortable. So instead of burning your fats away, you might want to sleep on the machine instead. That may sound funny, but it’s true. The question is how come the manufacturers designed ab machines to make people comfortable when you ought to sweat and feel the pain to gain the benefits? This is probably why some abs machines are nothing but fancy tools that are useless and inefficient.

So, take a look at the Ab Lounge. If you look at it, it looks more like a lounger than an exercise abs machine. With all its wide canvas, you may want to knock yourself out with it and snore away. Compared to other abs machines that have smaller and compact structures, the Ab Lounger fares away.

Indeed, the Ab Lounger may be liked by people who have back problems and do away with their crunches since the lounger bends in the middle which makes it an exercise machine. Checking on the range of motions you can do with it like the forward crunches, side crunches and bending your body to the max, you can also do that on the floor and no abs machine is needed. You can also do that with the stability ball or with other ab machines that have more compact and solid structures.

In short, we do not recommend this ab machine, and think that there are better ab machines in the market.

Technorati Tags: , ,

The Truth about the Ab Circle Pro Machine

 best ab machine  Comments Off
Dec 112011
 

Considering that there are too many abs equipment infomercials we see these days, have you thought about buying an ab machine? The Ab Circle Pro as most of us have seen it is actually one of the most common exercise equipments on TV that is heavily advertised. You probably have seen the sexy fitness model Jennifer Nicole Lee introducing to us how this machine works.

The Ab Circle Pro looks fine, actually. It looks great on Jennifer and you might think it would look good also on you especially if you can have the same toned abs like Jennifer’s. But do you think you can really get that Jennifer abs if you buy the machine and use it accordingly? Who knows, right? Well, here are the things I found about this popular ab equipment.

If you look through the many websites that promote the Ab Circle Pro, some of them offer 30 day free trial period and say you only pay less than $15 for that. Again, wow, this seems like a good deal that you can’t lose. But you think, there could be something fishy going on in here. So you read between the lines and there you find some surprises. With just the shipping you must pay  $30 that non-refundable.

If you are not satisfied with the machine you have to ship it back to where it came from and of course pay the same amount like when you ordered it. Don’t expect the company to send anybody to pick it up from your house. So all in all, that would be about $80 including the trial fare and for just a cheap machine, obviously you can be at the losing end just for trying it.

So, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of this ab machine.

Basically, the Ab Circle Pro is designed for two purposes: cardio and abs workout. With hands and knees supporting your body and sliding yourself from side to side in gliding motion, this can really tire you and can give your side oblique the strain. As the machine promises to burn fats in your bellies and waist, you are supposed to have spot reductions in your target areas. The truth is that there is no spot reduction – you always burn fat in all your body, not in a specific spot.

Some users complained that this machine is not enough to sustain all the workouts you need to make your abs trimmer and harder. In short, the Ab Circle Pro cannot exactly provide what the gym abs machines can give you. Also, there are a lot of complaints about the quality of the Ab Circle Pro. So, does this mean the machine is a total scam? No, it’s not. But this is not a wonder machine that can do what it promises without also following a diet.  Do regular intensive hard workouts as part of your training and that means full body weight training workouts which you can do either in the gym or with equipments at home. Then, eating right and getting enough fluid and sleep is the last requirement.

So, to sum up, the Ab Circle Pro Ab Machine CAN give your ab muscles a good workout – it will even work out your obliques. But its quality is not the best, so you probably should look for a better ab machine.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

How to use your cheap Ab Machine

 abs machine  Comments Off
Dec 092011
 

hMany people these days are becoming more and more conscious about the way they look. With an attractive figure in mind, they are willing to exert all kinds of effort just to have those well-sculpted abs: from exercising to dieting to hitting the gym.  Some have resorted to buying equipments to exercise in the comfort of their own homes.

 

There are many exercise machines that will allow one to work out all the muscles in his or her abdomen.  There exists a variety of ab machines that can help one achieve gorgeous abs.

 

 

Ab machines come in many forms and sizes.  They come in varying degrees of difficulty as well.  Some are simple to use while others are more complicated.  If you are a first-time user of such machine, you must know how to use it properly. Below will give you some tips:

 

  1. First off, you should make sure that you have assembled your ab machine correctly.  This is important because assembling the equipment appropriately will allow you to exercise without hassle.  Correctly assembling the machine will also ensure your safety while using it.

 

  1. Use your abdominal muscles.  This may be an obvious tip.  However, you may forget to exercise the muscles in your abdomen when you are already tired from exercising.  When you are already using your neck and back muscles, you should rest from exercising.  This will only strain your neck and back and will not target your abdominal muscles.

 

  1. It is important that you maintain consistency.  Using your ab machine on a regular basis may help you achieve washboard abs quicker.  It will be helpful if you have a regular schedule for working out your ab muscles.  Remember: consistency is the key.

 

  1. Make sure that you are in your natural position when using your ab machine.  When your back is straight while using your ab machine, strengthening your abdominal muscles becomes safer and more effective.

 

  1. Store your ab machine properly.  Proper storage means longer life for your equipment.  If you do not store you equipment properly, it will lose its effectiveness and efficiency as a partner in getting you a sexier figure.

 

Indeed, there are numerous models of ab machines everywhere.  But whatever you choose to buy, you must definitely know how to use it.  This will allow you to use its optimal capacity.  You must also know how to take care of it.  The longer your ab machine lasts, the longer it will be able to help you achieve a perfect body.

Technorati Tags: ,

Abdominal Workout 101: A Guide on How to Pick the Perfect Ab Machine

 abs machine  Comments Off
Dec 082011
 

Today, countless numbers of abdominal exercise machines are being sold on television infomercials and in print media because of the trend that famous athletes, models, and celebrities created by showing their perfect six-pack abs. People are now getting busier working out just to look their best at all times. Some may choose to perform simple abdominal exercises, while others opt to purchase abs workout machines.

 

Following ab exercise programs can surely give good results but with the help of the perfect ab machine, the job can be done easily and without the strain. However, though we know that ab machines can work wonders, we are sometimes getting confused because of the many available products that we think can all work for us. Thus when we want to purchase our own abdominal exercise machine for abs, it might be difficult to figure out which of these can do the job perfectly.

 

According to most weight training professionals, individuals who prefer to do the bulk of the work when shaping their abdominal muscles using their best ab machines should prefer to have heavier loads so that maximum results could be achieved. On the other hand, individuals who do not like to exercise a lot and lack motivation to do intense workout should choose abdominal equipment that can carry out small loads but can surely provide firmer abs with prolong and repetitive use.

 

There are now different abdominal exercise machines that can facilitate strong stomach muscle contraction and make the lower ab muscle getting toned.  There are also machines that can make even the outer ab muscles firmer and harder. Hence, the result always rely on the type of ab machine being used and the capability of the user to use the machine effectively.

 

Lastly, consistency of abdominal workout must be ensured when using abdominal machines in exercising the stomach muscles. The quality of the machine, its design and how regularly it can be used are some of the determining factors if the device will really work. You will surely attain your desired well-defined abs if you can choose an exercise machine that is easier, more convenient, and more motivating to use.

 

Once you decided to choose which equipment you think is the best ab machine for you, you are now ready to buy the machine and start working out with it. But still, no pain no gain so if you see that even the ab machine can exhaust your gut out, make no haste in using it. Use it slowly at first and feel it. As you go by, you will enjoy its features and you can start adding more load and effort in using it. In no time, you can have that flat tummy and watch your abs getting harder. So searching for the perfect abs machine is just the beginning on your way to getting the best shape you always dream about.

 

 

 

Technorati Tags:

Best abs machine for lower ab workout

 ab straps, abs machine, best ab machine, lower ab workout  Comments Off
Oct 282010
 

Best abs machine for lower ab workout

In our last article, we have seen the importance of a good lower ab workout, what benefit it has for your back and your health, and also how it can help you to get a flatter stomach. We also explained reverse crunches, the best lower ab workout for beginners. Abs machines can you help to exercise your lower abs and can make your workout more effective, so today we will look at the best ab machines for your lower ab workout and what exercises to do.

Using an abs bench for lower ab workout: doing inclined reverse crunches

Initial position: lie on your back on an declined abs bench, using your arms to stabilize your body, with your feets raised and your knees bent.

 

Exercise: now bring up your knees towards your chest, trying to raise your pelvis off the board. Hold for a second and lower your knees back to the initial position. Make sure not to lower your legs to far as this might cause you to overstretch your back and hurt your back.

 

The higher the angle of the incline, the more challenging the exercise is for your abs.

 

 

Decline leg raises with an abs bench

This is an advanced exercise. It works your abs a lot but it also really puts a lot of strain on your lower back. Personally, I would rather jump to the hanging knee raises and skip this exercise.

 

The exercise is the same as the decline reverse crunch, but instead of having your knees bent, you have your legs straight at all times. You lift your legs up as far as possible, curling your torso towards your chest and then lower them again. Don’t lower your legs too far down as this will only increase the stress on your lower back.

 

 

Using ab balls for lower ab workout: knee tucks on stability ball

Initial position: you have your shins on an ab ball and are in push-up position (i.e. face down, rested on your arms and on your shins which are on the stability ball).

 

Exercise: use your abs to roll the ball closer to your hands. To do this, bring your legs towards your body, bending the knees and sticking your buttocks into the air.

 


 

By the way: you can also do the reverse crunches on the abs ball. On the abs ball you will obtain a greater stretch of the abdominals, so the exercise will be more effective. Lie on the ab ball, face up. Use your arms to stabilize your body and then lift and lower your legs.

 

 

Using ab straps for your lower ab workout

As we have seen in the article on ab straps, doing hanging knee raises and hanging leg raises are two great exercises to train your lower abs. Find the detailed description of the exercise in the article. Please read this review if you are interested in cheap ab machines.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,

Abs Machine or Abs Work Out the Old School

 ab straps, abs machine, lower ab workout  No Responses »
Oct 182009
 

The truth is that you can train your abs perfectly without an abs machine. And if you’re one of those hard-core “no pain, no gain” bodybuilders, you probably prefer the good ol’ crunch. In that sense, the floor is the cheapest ab exercise equipment you can find!

 

However, if you think about what is the most effective and most comfortable abs workout, then the abs machines come back into consideration. One of the most common reasons why exercisers stop doing crunches are neck and lower-back strain. The best ab machines support your neck, thereby avoiding the neck stress and making your abs workout more comfortable. And when your workout is more comfortable, this might lead to that you do work out more and longer.

 

Also, on the floor in the initial position your back is just straight. But the most effective way to train your abs is to have them pre-streched, like for examplewhen you lie on an ab ball. So, using an abs machine you can train your abs more effectively.



As we haveseen in our last article, hanging abs exercises are great for lower ab workout and some even claim that hanging exercises are more effective thanlying exercises. You can do a hanging lower ab workout just hanging from a chin-up bar, or if your grip is not that resistant you can use ab straps.

And finally the mere act of investing into an abs machine might make you take your abs workout more seriously, be more motivated and determined to really get the maximum out of your investment.

 

So, you definitely can do just ab exercises on the floor, but using an abs machine can make your abs workout more varied, more fun and it can be more effective. And there are some cheap ab machines out there so you don’t need to spend a fortune.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Ab Straps – an Abs Machine for your Lower Ab Workout

 ab straps, abs machine, lower ab workout  No Responses »
Oct 142009
 

Can ab straps serve as abs machine? Well, it’s a little strange to describe a few straps you hang your body on as “machine”, but strangely enough they are the best tools for your lower ab workout.

As we have seen in a previous article, the abdominals are actually a group of muscles, including the “washboard”-like rectus abdominis. Some researchers claim that one of the best and most effective lower ab workouts targeting this muscle are hanging abs exercises, such as the hanging leg raise (see below for an explanation of how to perform hanging leg raises). However, you have to keep in mind that generally all abdominal exercises target at the lower abs are dangerous for your back and you have to be very careful to choose the right exercise and to perform it properly. On the Wikipedia there is a comparison of the back risk involved with doing ab exercises.

The tricky part is that – in order to perform hanging abdominal exercises – you need a strong grip, as you need to hold on to a chin up bar. Sustaining your body during the length of your lower ab workout takes a lot of strength in your hands and forearms, and many people don’t have grip to hold on to the chin up bar for that long.

That’s where the ab straps come in. Ab straps are slings with a ring or carabiner onone end where the straps can be fixed to the chin up bar. You then just fityour arms into the cushioned slings and that way your body hangs on the straps, while your arms and shoulders support your weight and you can focus on your abs workout instead of fighting with your grip.

(image courtesy of amazon, the featured product are the Perfect Pullup Heavy Duty Performance Series Ab Straps)

Now you’re ready to start your lower ab workout. First of all, it’s very important that when you train your abs with ab straps you need to do slow, controlled movements and you don’t swing. You don’t want that the momentum of your swing lifts your legs, you want to train your abs! Also, if you make any jerky movement you can easily strain your back, so you really need to make slow controlled movements and you should try to maintain your back in a neutral position as much as possible.

 

 

 

Hanging Knee Raises:

In the initial position you hang in the ab straps, arms parallel to the floor. Now you slowly raise your knees towards your chest while bending the knees until you reach a 90º angle, with your thighs parallel to the floor. Slowly lower your knees back to the initial position. Remember: no swinging!

Hanging Leg Raises:

This is an advanced exercise and it works your abs even more. From the same initial position, you slowly raise you straight legs without bending the knees until your legs are parallel to the floor. You hold them for a count of two and then slowly lower them back.

HangingTwists:

If you want to train your obliques, you can vary the previous exercises by twisting your body, i.e. while lifting your legs you lift them first to one side and then in the next movement to the opposite side.

Ab straps are relatively affordable, costing around 10-30 US$. The problem is that you need a chin-up bar to fix your ab straps on, so if you want to train at home and not in a gym you’ll also need to buy a bar.

In a nutshell, ab straps are a good way to trains your abs, especially your lowerabs. However, if you don’t perform the exercise correctly you can strain your back, so if you have any kind of back problem you’re probably better offlooking for a different ab exercise equipment. Read also our post on the best ab machines.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,