Many abdominal workout machines are expensive and offer few major advantages over traditional abdominal workouts such as crunches, according to registered dietitian Erica Lesperance at the Diet Channel. However, she said, some of them might be able to provide an effective ab workout despite their price tag. The top home ab machines use proven aerobic and anaerobic techniques for strengthening your abs.
Ab Wheel
Ideal for more experienced exercisers, the ab wheel is a long-time favorite for strengthening your abs. It's inexpensive and a nice change of pace over abdominal crunches.
Ab Slide
Similar to the ab wheel in design, the Ab Slide adds resistance to the workout to make it a tougher workout. The Ab Slide can help strengthen your abs with consistent use, but only if you eat healthfully and exercise other parts of your body as well.
Exercise Ball
One of the most inexpensive and versatile fitness tools anywhere, exercise balls allow you to use a variety of abdominal strengthening techniques while taking the strain off your back. You can do traditional crunches, leg lifts and oblique exercises for working the sides of your abs.
Flex Belt
The Flex Belt uses electric muscle stimulation to repeatedly contract your abdominal muscles. According to reviews at Diets in Review.com, Flex Belt is an effective nontraditional way to tone your abs, and it is approved by the FDA as being safe to use. It may not be an effective choice for people who are not already in decent shape; it's best for fine-tuning your abs.
Decline Ab Bench
A simple declined ab bench can use the power of gravity to increase the intensity of your ab workout. Lock in your legs and perform traditional sit-ups with less strain on your back. You can also use variations, such as twisting your torso at the top of each repetition, to get a more complete ab workout.
Ab Dolly
Used properly, the Ab Dolly can help tighten and tone your abdominals. It uses the same basic movement the ab wheel provides but with the advantage of allowing a full-range of motion for targeting your abs from different angles.
Ab Roller
The Ab Roller is a contraption consisting of a headrest, arm handles and a design that lets it rock smoothly on the floor. While it may not be the best choice for advanced users, beginners can use to Ab Roller to help limit the strain on their head and back while learning the proper crunch movement.
Pullup Bar
Not only will a pullup bar help strengthen your shoulders, arms and upper back, but it can also be used to exercise your abs. Simply hang from the bar and do knee or leg raises to target the abdominals. It's an effective way to work the abs using a motion other than traditional sit-ups or crunches.
Exercise Mat
Maybe the most inexpensive option, a simple exercise mat can give you one of the most proven ab exercises on the planet -- crunches. It's important to have a comfortable surface to exercise on to help limit strain on your back. Use straight crunches, angled crunches and pull your knees toward your chest during your crunch motion for a high-intensity ab workout.
Ab Straps
Ab straps mount directly onto your pullup bar, or they can be permanently fixed to a stable ceiling joist. Ab straps allow you to support your body weight using your arms that are placed inside the slings. You can do knee and leg lifts from a more comfortable position than using the pullup bar alone. It's a better choice for beginners.
Member Comments