Ab Machine Buying Guide
Abdominal trainers are extremely popular among home gym junkies – they’re also the item of choice for television infomercials, making the purchase of a quality ab machine a very confusing experience. Well, let me try to simplify it for you.
There are definitely some good quality abdominal machines on the market today for reasonable prices. The trick is to filter out the effective machines from those making false promises to make a quick buck. There are some basic things that you can look for in an ab machine that will ensure you’re buying an effective piece of equipment.
1. Motion
If you’re looking at an ab machine that only offers forward flexion, you should probably look elsewhere for the ab trainer that will produce results. You abdominal region is comprised of four major areas that you need to work to have a strong, well developed mid-section; the upper abs, the lower abs, the oblique’s and the intercostals.
In order to target all of these areas you need a machine that offers forward and lateral movement.
2. Adjustability
A quality abdominal trainer will offer at least a couple of adjustment options so you can be sure that it will fit your frame. There is nothing worse than trying to perform a crunch motion on a machine that’s too big for you – you may even risk injuring yourself if you try to train on a machine that isn’t fit to your build.
“Make sure that the ab machine you choose to buy with fits you off the shelf or provides some adjustment options.”
3. Comfort
This goes hand-in-hand with adjustability. More than likely, if you’re buying an ab machine in the first place, it’s because you think regular crunches and traditional abdominal exercises are uncomfortable or ineffective.
So, when you buy a machine, make sure you aren’t going to have the same complaints. If you’re going to be uncomfortable doing an ab workout, you may as well do it for free and stick to crunches.
Otherwise, buy a quality machine that won’t stress your neck and back and that effectively targets the correct muscles.
4. Avoid the Hype
Many infomercials promoting abdominal trainers would have you believe that you can get a six pack in just minutes a day, regardless of what your diet looks like. What!? Okay guys, if you’re buying that statement, it’s time for a little reality check.
The first thing you should know is that eating a clean diet and doing regular cardiovascular exercise is about 85% of the formula to developing a six pack abdominal region. The other 15% is actual abdominal training. So, any product that claims results without diet or exercise should be avoided.
The next thing you should understand about abdominal trainers is that you don’t need machines at all. You certainly don’t need to invest huge amounts of hard earned money into an ab machine. In fact, your abdominal equipment should probably be the least expensive area of your entire home gym.
If you choose to buy one, it should be to add a little variety to your abdominal routine.
Machines won’t give you any greater benefits than performing bodyweight exercises such as crunches, planks and leg lifts. However, if you’re more inclined to use a machine than you are to do the abovementioned exercises, by all means, get the machine.
In the scheme of muscular development, the core region is the most important area to focus on. Without a strong core (which includes lower back muscles as well), you are more likely to suffer from chronic back pain.
A strong core is also necessary to build the rest of your muscles since there isn’t anything that we do in a day or in a workout that doesn’t require some degree of core strength
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