You probably want lean, sexy abs. The desire for a toned midsection has created an influx of ab exercise machines, many of which are aggressively marketed. Equipment includes both commercial machines in gyms as well as smaller pieces of equipment you can use at home.
Stability Ball
The American Council on Exercise rates stability balls as one of the best pieces of equipment for ab exercises. You can use these large inflatable balls to tone all of your ab muscles, as well as other major muscles in your body. Those with back problems, and those who have trouble getting on and off the floor, find the stability ball to be a comfortable piece of equipment. You can lie down on them to do crunches, or you can hold it in your hands to perform standing ab exercises.
Crunch Machine
The crunch machine allows you to do classic ab crunches, only you have more effective head, neck and back support. Lie on the bench, position your feet securely on the footrests and grasp the handles. Contract your abdominals, push forward with your hands, while lifting your shoulders. Release back to starting position.
Ab Wheel
The ab wheel is one of the smallest, most cost-effective abdominal exercisers. It is simply a wheel that has two handles, one each side of the axle. Find space on a solid surface, get on your knees and hold the handles with arms straight in front of you, in a locked position. Push the wheel forward as far as you can, then draw it back toward your body. Ab wheels may also be used diagonally to work your oblique muscles.
Captain's Chair
Most gyms have a captain's chair to work the abdominals. You have to step up to it, as it is placed high, with a padded backrest, two arm rests and two handles. Plant your feet on the footholds, grab the handles and secure your back to the backrest. Your legs should hang underneath you. Pull your knees to your chest, then release them back to the starting position.
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