Flat, strong abs are very desirable. While some exercisers only seek to develop a toned midsection, others may work out in pursuit of an ultimate fitness goal -- the six-pack. Well-developed abs provide more than simple aesthetic appeal, they are also important for spine stability and health. Take your ab training to a new level with machines.
Cable machines, also called cable crossover machines and cable functional trainers, are a common feature in most gyms. There are a wide variety of ab exercises you can perform with this piece of equipment. High and low cable crunches, high wood chops, one-arm presses and judo throws are exercises unique to cable machines and they provide an interesting and effective workout for your abs.
Though ab wheels are inexpensive, small and portable, they nonetheless provide an effective and challenging ab workout. The main exercise performed using an ab wheel is called the roll out, which is sort of a dynamic plank movement. Kneel down and place your ab wheel on the floor in front of your knees. Keeping your chest up, arms straight and abs braced, roll the wheel away from you as far as you can without arching your lower back. Pull the wheel back to the start position and repeat. For a more challenging workout, perform the roll out from a standing position.
Weighted Crunch Machine
Crunches, performed while lying on your back, are a traditional ab exercise particularly effective for beginners. However, many exercisers simply outgrow this exercise; once an exercise becomes easy, it offers little in the way of benefits. Weighted ab crunch machines effectively make crunches more challenging so that abdominal strength continues to improve. Some weighted crunch machines are designed to be used in a seated position while others are used lying down. Because of their size, weighted crunch machines are generally used at the gym and not at home.
Adjustable Decline Ab Bench
By elevating your feet, decline exercise benches make crunches, sit-ups and leg raises more challenging. This ensures that your abs receive sufficient overload to get stronger. The steeper the bench is angled, the more demanding the exercises become. However, because these exercises involve a lot of hip flexor activity and your hip flexors are attached to your lumbar spine, some exercisers find that decline sit-ups, crunches and leg lifts cause lower back pain. Use the decline ab bench with caution and always use proper exercise technique.
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