Ab machines: Fess up, who's tried them?
Gut busters, Ab Swings, Ab Slides, Ab Rollers... the list is endless. Extensive testing by organizations such as Ace Fitness and Consumer Reports have shown that these gizmos are no more affective than crunches, and in some cases they are less effective. Using a balance ball for ab exercises, as well as a "captain's chair" in a gym, have been shown to be effective. The rest appear to be a waste of money.
Still, the claims seduce us into buying these products. Who wouldn't want strong, firm abs in 6 seconds?
What ab products have you bought? Do you feel suckered?
I'll start.. My first experience was with a Tony Little Ab Isolator. It had a piece that you slipped over your feet, another that rested on top of your thighs, and a strip of webbing that connected the two. It was supposed to hold your legs and feet in position while you did the perfect situps. Instead, the bar presed on my thighs and was very uncomfortable. I preferred tucking my feet under the edge of the couch.
I also had an Ab Roller, which you probably are familiar with. Once again, it is supposed to help you do crunches more effectively, but this machine concentrates on upper body placement by giving you something to hold onto while you do the crunches. Once again, I did better on my own.
I then tried a balance ball, after reading about it on the AceFitness site, and have really felt the difference. I do work my abs, and can feel every crunch. Standard crunches would have been just as effective, but the ball helps me because I have a bad back.
What have you tried?
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