There's a never-ending stream of new exercise equipment designed -- or so the manufacturers claim -- to give you perfectly toned abs with little or no effort. The professional fitness models employed to demonstrate the equipment have enviably well-developed abs. It's tempting to take this as proof that the equipment works. But the machines might not always produce the promised results.
Ab Machines Are Not Necessary
All the fancy exercise equipment for your abs is, strictly speaking, not necessary. You can work your abs effectively with body weight alone. The only equipment you might want to purchase for a minimalist workout is a thin pad to cushion your spine if you're working out on a hard floor.
Can Enhance Your Workout
Although ab machines aren't strictly necessary, some carefully chosen exercise equipment can help you get more out of your ab workouts. According to a 2001 study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise, some ab equipment demonstrated significant improvements in muscle activity over traditional floor crunches. The bicycle maneuver, captain's chair -- also called the Roman chair -- and stability ball ranked in the top three overall.
Can Detract From Your Workout
Not all ab equipment showed increased muscle activity in the rectus abdominus and obliques. The Ab Rocker showed markedly reduced ab activity, and the exercise tubing pull -- pulling on exercise tubing anchored over your head as you do crunches -- demonstrated reduced activity as well. You'd be better off doing crunches without either piece of equipment. Although the Torso Track demonstrated notably higher muscle activity than the traditional floor crunch, the study reports that a significant number of users reported lower-back discomfort while using it.
They Require Proper Technique
If you slouch while on an ab machine, perform less than complete range of motion, allow yourself to rest between repetitions or otherwise fail to follow good form, you should expect reduced results. As much as the manufacturers want you to believe that the ab machine can practically sculpt your abs on your own, the results for any workout ultimately depend on how much time, effort and concentration you put into it.
Hip Flexors vs. Abs
Beware of exercise machines that promise to strengthen your abs by repeatedly flexing and extending your body at the hips. None of your major ab muscles -- the rectus abdominus, plus the inner and outer obliques -- flex your hips. Although your abs do work to stabilize your body against the pull of your hip flexors, and this type of isometric contraction is a legitimate form of ab exercise, it's hard on your lower back, and overdeveloping the hip flexors can contribute to muscular imbalance.
Bottom Line
You may not need an ab machine to get a strong, toned midsection. But if having the equipment in your living room is what it takes to get you motivated for regular workouts, it serves its purpose.
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