You're more likely to get bulging biceps than awesome abs on the Gazelle exercise machine, due to the configuration of the pedals and arm levers you use to create movement during workouts. Stomach toning is a more realistic goal for core work on the Gazelle than muscle building, because you are standing upright for the duration of your workout, using little stomach muscle. Knowing which motions target your abs will help you tighten your tummy on Tony Little's machine.
Step 1
Begin your workout with an even, steady stride, pulling on the handles at a moderate intensity to create a warm-up that elevates your heart rate, increases blood flow to your muscles and stretches your muscles.
Step 2
Create isometric muscle contractions in your core area for as long as you can during your workout by "sucking it in" and holding your stomach muscles tense. An example of an isometric exercise would be pushing against a wall with your arms and holding that push. These types of contractions are actually more effective at producing force than the common concentric muscle contractions you commonly use to build muscle, according to Dr. Christopher Mohr, an exercise physiologist writing on the Body Building website. An example of a concentric muscle contraction would be lifting a dumbbell upward; an example of an eccentric contraction would be lowering the dumbbell, which provides the most benefit.
Step 3
Create a stretch-and-hold movement on the Gazelle by taking a long stride. Hold the position for several seconds before switching legs. Repeat this until fatigue. This movement requires more use of the abdominal muscles to hold the stretch and is the only exercise in the Gazelle routine that primarily isolates the abs.
Step 4
Use all the exercises in the Gazelle workout program to create a variety of muscle movements. Hold your isometric stomach contractions to get the maximum benefit for the different movements.
Step 5
Pull your abdominal muscles in and push them out during your workout in rhythm with the exercise to create muscle contractions if holding isometric contractions is not possible for long periods of time.
Step 6
Reduce your risk of back stress during a Gazelle workout by keeping a straight torso during your exercises. Attempting to work your obliques by twisting your core side to side during exercise could cause lower back problems, depending on the amount of resistance you are using and the intensity of your workouts.
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