Abdominal workout machines are found in gyms and sold for home use. Some abdominal machines, like the Ab Rocker, may not be as effective as you would like, but Ace Fitness reports that the Torso Track and Ab Roller were more effective for working the abdominal muscles than a traditional crunch exercise performed on the floor. Whether you work out at a gym or in your living room, use of abdominal machines tone your rectus abdominis and oblique muscles on the front and sides of your abdomen.
Ab Roller
The Ab Roller is a lightweight piece of equipment that supports your neck as you perform crunches. This has the benefit of reducing neck strain, but at the same time your neck muscles are not being strengthened. The Ab Roller works your abs through a crunching motion. You perform the exercise by lying face up on the Ab Roller with your head on the neck rest and your hands on the bar above your head. Face your palms away from you with your elbows bent. Bend your knees with your feet on the floor. Then, raise your head and shoulders off the floor and roll forward, bringing the Ab Roller with you so your neck stays relaxed on the neck pad. Slowly roll back to the floor.
Torso Track
The Torso Track uses a sliding motion along the floor to work your abs and stabilize your torso. The machine consists of two handles on the sides of a track that lies on the floor. You hold the handles with your arms straight and facing the machine as you kneel on the floor. By sliding forward and backward on the machine, and keeping your spine parallel to the floor, your rectus abdominis and obliques engage to maintain the straight alignment of your spine.
Abdominal Crunch Machines
Abdominal crunch machines are most often built for exercising in a seated or lying position, though some occasionally are made for standing or lying sideways. All of these machines operate on the same principle of spinal flexion, which is what happens when you perform a crunch exercise to bring your ribcage toward your hips. The abdominal crunch machines do the same thing. You sit or lie on a machine and grab the handles that are next to your head. The legs are hooked under a leg pad. You then round your back and bring your upper body toward your thighs. Some machines also allow you to raise your knees toward your chest to flex the lower portion of your spine.
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