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Good Ab machine?

mpg

Banned
I suck at doing sit-ups, I need to have my feet embeded into something. So I'm looking into a machine or something that will improve my abs. Any Ideas? I'm going for the 6-pack!
 
I bought that Nordic Track AbWorks machine and still use it today. It's pretty good IMHO. Not sure if you can still find it as it was a product of an infomercial (I bought it at a nordic track store though).

-GL
 
There is a basic "ab wheel" that they sell at target for about $8.00. Its just a wheel with handles. I've never used it but i am in the same situation. Situps hurt my neck and if i put my arms crossed on my chest it doesnt feel right.

 
that ab wheel works nice
I just take a 5 pound weight and put a bar through it and use that, though

saved me $8
 
i bought the ab wheel last week, only really used it 2 times so far. it seemed to work my shoulders and arms more the abs. didn't feel like the abs were being worked when i did it. i went a little overboard and did too much the first day, my shoulders and upper abs were sore for a couple of days.. it's not too bad for 8$... 🙂
 
I'd say go with the ab-roller/ab wheel type deal. Other exercises you can pretty much mimic without the machine (such as the ab rocker's motion, etc), but the wheel is something that requires at least a basic tool. I've never used one myself, but I've seen a few of the other hardcore workout-a-holics at my gym using the wheel religiously. Just be sure that when you do it your feet are on the ground as opposed to up in the air (i.e. don't keep your knees locked at 90 degrees so that on the way down your feet lift up in the air; keep your feet in contact with the ground) as this will help reduce lower back strain.

I personally stick to the age-old (and possibly outdated) 25 minute ab routine every other day, but that's just me. If I bought the wheel and it seemed to do just as much as the exercises I do now, then I wouldn't have a problem switching.

You might also want to try exercises other than just sit-ups or crunches. You can do leg lifts and other exercises that place much less strain on your neck. Hope it helps.
 
Saw the Ad-Doer this past week on Home-Shopping. Incredible workout and seems sensible in theory...maybe go to their site and see if you can find it.

I don't necessarily exercise but, Hubby has been wanting to shape-up so I checked it out and it looks like a real step up from all the ones I am seeing metioned here.
 
Just remember that in order to see the abs, you have to have low body fat. Don't expect to be able to get a nice body only doing ab workouts. You have to focus on cardio too...also honestly it looks kind of funny when guys with small arms and chests have these sixpacks, so keep the rest of your upper body in shape too.
 
I love the American fetish with having a good 6-pack (not that I'm immune from it). Elemental is right: focus on cardio and other body workouts, and the abs will eventually come. If you don't have low body fat to begin with, it won't matter a bit.

Rob
 
I honestly have never worked on my abs much at all. It is more important that I be able to run faster, throw farther, and overall beat the crap out of people when I need to.

Unless you are a dancer, six packs do nothing except looks. And they only take a few weeks to get into shape, whereas every other muscle group takes months of work to see noticable changes. My advice? Start lifting and running now; come March or April (depending on your climate) focus on those abs for the beach. Until then your arms and chest should be your priority.

 
Elemental007 has a good point. Work on your arms and chest, but don't forget your legs, those take the longest to get into shape. But you mustn't forget about those abs, they help with proper posture. Don't be one of the guys who "curls for girls". Having all the muscles in the world isn't going to help your heart though, only aerobic activity can do that, so don't leave that out.
 
i've been benching and using free weights the last month and started cardio a cuple days ago. I can already see my abs just no pack 🙂. So I want to work it all together ! I never had to work on my legs they have been muscular and fairly large.
 
Unfortunately, unless you are a linebacker or planning on toting bales of hay...legs don't have much of a use that requires you able to squat 500...
 
the ab wheel will fvck you up man!

and if you do the sideways thing...dizamn!

dat some good sheeot. good as in you'll bust a nut doing it.

Daaaaaiyaamn!!
 
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