Whether your love handles are hugging your curves or you carry around an entire spare tire, the battle of the belly bulge can be a constant and difficult struggle. If you are looking for a quick fix, you might be tempted to try a trendy new exercise product that promises to whittle away your waist in just minutes a day. But before you splurge, it's important to know which exercise products for your belly are actually worth your time, effort and money. Consult your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen.
Exercise Ball
The exercise ball is a relatively simple piece of exercise equipment. Available in a variety of sizes, these inflatable balls can be used to work multiple areas of the body in addition to the belly. When using the exercise ball to tone the stomach, position your lower back across the exercise ball with your feet firmly on the ground. Placing your hands behind your head, crunch forward and lift your shoulders off the ball. Since the exercise ball is unstable, it requires you to engage your core muscles constantly to maintain your balance. In 2001, researchers at San Diego State University's Biomechanics Lab tested the effectiveness of 13 different abdominal exercises, the American Council on Exercise reports. Among these, the exercise ball was used for the traditional exercise ball crunch. At the end of the study, the exercise ball crunch ranked third.
Torso Track
The Torso Track apparatus features a slim handlebar that slides along a track. To use the handlebar, kneel on the cushioned pad and adjust the handlebars so they are resting as close to you as possible. Lean forward slightly and grasp the handlebars. With a slow, controlled movement, push the handlebars along the length of the track. As the handles slide along the track, your body should also stretch out. Continue pushing the handles until they reach the end of the track; in this position, your body should be nearly parallel with the ground. Hold for a few seconds, then return to starting position with a slow, controlled movement. The Torso Track ranked within the top five abdominal exercises used in the SDSU study.
Ab Roller
The Ab Roller features a relatively simple design that involves two handlebars attached by a curved frame. To use the product for your belly, position the device so that the cushion rests on the ground and the handlebar rests in the air. Lie on your back, position your head on the cushion and grasp the handlebars in a comfortable position. Use your hands to gently press against the handlebar as you roll forward into a crunch. As you crunch, the device should roll forward along with your body. Hold the crunch for a second and then roll back to starting position. SDSU ranked the Ab Roller within the top 10 ab exercises in its study.
Exercise Belts
In 2002, the Federal Trade Commission charged the manufacturers of three abdominal exercise belts with making false claims. These exercise belts, such as the Ab Energizer, promise stronger and flatter abdominal muscles simply by strapping the belt around your waist. When strapped into place, the belts send out electrical impulses to stimulate the abdominal muscle. According to the belt manufacturers, the muscle contraction provided by the belt is similar to that of a traditional sit-up. However, the FTC argued that these abdominal exercise belts cannot provide the promised results. Indeed, the agency added, very little concrete evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of these exercise products.
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