 |
|
|
|
Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources | HOME PAGE Health Club 101 DIRECT Natural Supplements | HGH Energizer | Eazol Natural Pain Relief | Revitol Cellulite Solution IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Menopause Symptoms Relief | Insomnia Sleeping Aid Articles & Information Medicine | Nutrition | Exercise | Fitness Equipment | Pregnancy Bodybuilding Supplements | Weight Loss | Breast Cancer | Diabetes Category Site Map |
 |
It's All About the Abs - Abdominal Exercise Equipment That Really Works
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 thebest home fitness equipment. Find out where to shop for thebest recumbent exercise bikes,ab machines and weight training equipment for your home gym. Copyright 2005 Fitness-N-Exercise-Equipment.com Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the author's byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.
MORE RESOURCES:
Men's Health
|
Women's
Health |
Children's
Health |
Elder
Health
Medicine - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Types of Exercise Equipment Depending on the kind of exercise you want to do, there are many types of exercise equipment from which to choose. You no longer have to join a gym because many types of equipment can fit right in your own home. Treadmill Weight Loss - 5 Ways A Treadmill Helps You Lose Weight So why are treadmills STILL the #1 home exercise machines with shoppers? And why are treadmill still the most popular exercise machines at the gym? Because they get weight loss results!Here are the top 5 ways home treadmill workouts can help you lose weight, burn calories and get fit fast:#1: A Treadmill Helps You Burn MORE Calories by Battling Exercise BoredomWe all know that exercise is a must if you want to burn fat and sculpt a better body quickly. But what do you do if you don't LIKE working out?What if you get bored or don't like logging hours in the gym with all those muscle boys or short-shorts women?One viable option is the home treadmill, because of all the things it allows you to do to FORGET that you are exercising in the first place. Elliptical Trainers - Glide Your Way to Good Health The Diet Exercise DilemmaYour doctor has just told you that you need to lose those 5 extra pounds that you gained over the Holiday Season. It wouldn't sound so bad if you would have taken his advice five years ago. Cheap Elliptical Trainers - What You Dont Know Can Cost You Big Time Should you ever consider purchasing a cheap elliptical trainer?It's my position that you should purchase the best elliptical trainer that your budget allows. The elliptical trainers that I recommend all retail above $1000. Treadmill Reviews - Helping You Find The Best Treadmill For YOU! With a multitude of different treadmills available today, it can be extremely difficult to know which one might be the best one for you - it can be so overwhelming that you simply don't know where to start! If you go to one of the wide variety of treadmill manufacturer's websites, you will be greeted by a whole array of different models that include a variety of features and characteristics that simply boggle the mind, and inevitably enough, each manufacturer is going to say that theirs is better than all the rest. What you need to help you navigate your way through the overabundance of information is a helpful and unbiased informer, and thankfully, help is not too far away. How to Choose an Elliptical Trainer that Suits Your Needs When choosing an elliptical trainer, you'll want to consider a variety of things to determine which elliptical machine will best suit your needs. You should pay attention to the quality and durability, features, brand reputation (important when buying online), and weight restrictions. Balls That Could Be The Remedy For Your Workouts The attic door swings open.Behind the ancient bumper pool table, beside the old Zim-Zam set and underneath the ugly pair of K-Tel skis lies a round, leathery object covered by two decades of dust. A Gorgeous Flooring for Yoga and Exercise, Tatami Interlocking Mats Tatami interlocking floor mats are presented by InterlockingFloorMat.com. Epic Treadmills - Good Value Or Not? Epic treadmills are well known in the treadmill market for their budget range of treadmills. Epic treadmills are one of the lines of treadmills manufactured by Icon fitness, the largest of all the fitness equipment manufacturers and the company which manufactures, amongst others, Proform treadmills. Which is the Best Exercise Tool, High-tech Machines or Free Weights? Which is the best exercise tool, high tech machines or free weights?You may find this information laborious; however, it is necessary to outline the differences between high-tech and non-high tech equipment for the purpose of producing maximum fitness in minimum time.Much of the equipment on the market is virtually useless. Exercise Bikes vs. Treadmills You've decided you want to exercise at home. There are hundreds of pieces of home cardio equipment available. Best Elliptical Trainer - Elliptical Secrets of Success Thinking about purchasing an elliptical trainer? Wondering how an elliptical trainer can help you reach and exceed your fitness goals? Elliptical trainers are one of the best fitness products to be developed in recent years because they are cost effective yet efficient.This article will discuss the benefits of working out with the various elliptical trainers on the market. Treadmills Prove Health Concerns Are No Longer An Excuse Not To Exercise Walking has long been praised for its health benefits. It is a simple, easy workout that provides great results. How Treadmills Compare To Other Types Of Home Fitness Equipment When it comes to exercise, people like to walk or run. These are natural activities for us. Treadmill Exercise - 3 More Benefits of Treadmill Workouts Chances are that you already know your treadmill can help you lose weight, stay fit, and protect you from the ravages of age related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.But here are 3 MORE benefits of treadmill exercise you might NOT know!#1 Walking on A Treadmill Helps Alleviate DepressionA recent study at Duke University found that even as little as eight minutes on a treadmill can help to dramatically, although temporarily, reduce symptoms of depression. The Most Important Things to Know When Choosing a Treadmill If you ever had the desire to buy a treadmill, you were probably hit by all sorts of questions: "What treadmill should I buy?", "Where will I put it?", "When will I have the time to use it?", "What are the most important things to take into consideration when choosing a treadmill?" , "Which treadmills will help me look fit?" and so forth. This article will try to answer these questions and give you an insight of the most important factors that are to be taken into consideration when choosing a treadmill or jogging machine. Epic t60 treadmill The Epic T60 Treadmill - Putting New Limits On EconomyThe Epic T60 Treadmill is made exclusively for Costco, the discount retailer. It sports useful and desirable features for the home gym and for general fitness training, yet is often discounted for far less than $1000. Buying A Treadmill - 3 Common Mistakes Most Buyers Make Buying a treadmill? Congratulations on making an investment in your health!But if you want to save yourself lots of pain and loads of money, steer clear of these 3 common mistakes that most treadmill buyers make when purchasing:#1) Getting Taken in by the IcingThe 'icing' is all of the non-essential treadmill goodies that some lesser-quality treadmills offer you. These are meant to hide the fact that the essential factors of a quality machine aren't there. The Skinny on Exercise Strollers Whether you are an avid jogger or fitness fan, you may find a jogger or exercise stroller has a lot more to offer than a conventional one. Some people prefer jogging strollers for their sleek design and lightweight frames. Commercial Elliptical Machines With the fitness craze that is going on in the world today, the elliptical trainer is becoming more and more popular in the average household. A person needs to do some research and decide what their personal needs are and then execute a purchase from there.
|
|
home | site map Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources |
|
|
