Centralized Fitness

Ab Machine Reviews: Know the Facts:

Increasing the strength of the core region can help better protect internal organs, improve posture and prevent back injury/pain. Our reviews cover the best ab machine models.

Types of Ab Muscles:

Some of the best ab machines allow users to target all four of these abdominal muscle sections:

1) Transversus Abdominus:

This muscle group is responsible for maintaining stability in the trunk, or mid-section of the body. They are also used to maintain proper pressure against the internal organs, thereby protecting them.

2) Rectus Abdominus:

If you want that chiseled six-pack, then the rectus abdominus muscle group is the one to target. Exercises which target these muscles include crunches (machine or floor), abdominal stretching, double pulse, reverse crunch, hip raises, sit-ups and double crunches.

3) External Oblique Muscles:

These muscles are located on either side of the rectus abdominus. They stabilize the torso when twisting (such as when prepping for a baseball throw). When twisting left, the right external obliques contract, and vice-versa.

4) Internal Oblique Muscles:

Just inside the hip-bone bordering the external obliques are the internal obliques. They also help in twisting, but contract in the direction of the twist. (right/right left/left).

Equipment Used in Ab Training:

• Bosu Balls:

A Bosu ball is a special kind of stability ball that is 1/2 the size. They can be used for various core exercises that can be used to target the abs. Specific exercises include V-ins, Russian Twists, crunches, leg raises, side crunches and more.

• Ab Rollers:

Ab rollers, like most types of exercise equipment, have their pros and cons. Ab rollers consist of a curved frame which supports your back while doing crunches and pull ups. They can definitely aid in increasing the strength of ab muscles, but are not the most effective at eliminating spots of fat on the stomach. However, the support provided by the roller can limit your range of motion, preventing your neck and other muscle groups from being targeted effectively. People who suffer from neck pain or are quite overweight can benefit from the use of an ab roller. After all, some exercise is better than none, and these rollers make exercise more enjoyable by making it easier.

• Hanging Ab Straps:

The ab strap is a padded loop which hangs from the ceiling or doorway. Users place their arms in the loop to suspend themselves above the ground during leg raises. The reason why ab straps are a good alternative to pull-up bars is that some people find it difficult to keep a firm grip on the bar.

• Ab Wheels:

The ab wheel is a simple device that requires good core strength in order to operate correctly and without injury. People who have weak cores are likely to over-arch (hyperextend) their back during ab wheel exercises. If you already have a relatively strong core, using the ab wheel shouldn’t pose a problem. Such wheels can be used on the hands and feet.

• Forty-Five Degree Slant Board:

Used to exercise the back, a slant board can also be used to train the oblique muscles if you turn on your side.

• Weights and Cables:

Weights places on the ankles can amplify the difficult of leg raises, resulting in ripped abs faster. Even dumbbells can prove to be effective at bulking up the abs. Cables offer additional resistance when working out on the floor becomes too easy.

• Roman Chair:

The Roman chair is an ab machine which allows for the hyperextension of the ab and back muscles. By hyper-extending the ab muscles, more muscles can be targeted during the exercise. These ab machines can be quite intense to use.