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Are Abs Machines Necessary?
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By David Grisaffi
http://flattenyourownabs.com

I’ll be honest… the average person doesn’t possess the patience required to develop a great set of abs or the work ethic to maintain it.

They lack the discipline and determination needed to achieve their goal. Many people go on “quick fix” fad diets to reduce their midsection. Others buy every
ab training gizmo and gadget advertised on TV only to end up folding them up and sliding them under the bed or using them as “expensive clothes hangers.”

Based on the amount of email I get on the subject, I know how fixated most men and women are about finding the “Holy Grail” of abdominal development in some type of machine advertised on TV.

Read on to see my answer to Are Ab Machines Needed? 

Here’s A Question Sent In By A subscriber:

“David, I understand from reading your e-book and newsletters that diet is the most important aspect of ab development. I also would like to know your opinion of ab machines that are advertised on TV.  Some of these products seem a bit overpriced. However, I’ve been thinking about buying one of them because I have had some problems with my back, which has caused me to give up
some abdominal exercises I used to do with no problem. Do you think  any of these machines will help some merit for someone in my circumstance?”

ANSWER: The answer is yes and no; but I’m definitely leaning more toward the no when it comes to any of these infomercial products such as the Ab-doer, Ab Dominator, Ab Swing, Ab Roller Plus, Torso Track, Torso Tiger, Smart Abs (and I could go on and on):

Typically, any machine that involves gripping handles out to the side, and in front for support aren’t good because once you begin to get tired, your body will naturally have a tendency to use the arms to force the abdominal motion, taking the abs out of the picture almost completely and asking your back to do more work, which sets you up for an injury.

I’ve tested similar gym equipment, which use handles in almost the same position as these machines. It shouldn’t differ that much. Even though you’re sitting upright as with the AB-DOer or lying prone as with the torso track. Each tend to focus on a specific area to the detriment of full range of motion.

If you are absolutely dead set on buying some type of TV-advertised abdominal product, get the Ab Swing (although I will recommend something cheaper and more versatile at the end of this email)

The trouble with almost ALL of these ab machines is that you are only moving your body in one direction or plane of motion. As you increase strength in that area, you will create a pattern  overload syndrome and set your self up for muscle imbalances that may cause injury.

Another example is the AB-DOer. If you were to turn this product clockwise, you would clearly be able to see this. I understand the AB-DOer uses a circular rotating motion, but 50 percent of that exercise doesn’t even incorporate abdominal muscles. The other 50 percent uses the lower back muscles.

Now, a product like this may feel better on your back (regarding my yes answer), but I doubt it. Here’s a self-test you can try: Sit in a chair with your back pressed against the chair’s back. Pretend to have your arms out to the side, just as the AB-DOer displays. Now contract and crunch your abs. You probably felt a slight lower back strain because the body is naturally designed to slouch down
when you try to crunch the abs from an upright position.

This lower back strain can actually feel more acute if you add the resistance of the AB- DOer. There’s one exception to the rule: Sometimes, gym abdominal equipment will have the same range of motion as the AB-DOer, using weights, but no hand grips. The difference is the fact that you’re pushing a padded weight forward with your chest.

This range of motion naturally keeps your back straight mainly because you must push the weight forward. You can do a test to see what I mean by finding an adjustable chair, lowering it so that a desk edge is at chest level, and pressing against it. Your upper body is “forced” to stay straight in order to push the weight forward. It won’t allow you to slouch down, as the AB-DOer will.

One piece of simple exercise equipment that I highly recommend you invest in is called a Swiss ball (also known as a stability ball). The Swiss ball is more versatile than any piece of infomercial ab equipment ever will be. It’s also safer and more effective. My abdominal and core conditioning course, Firm And Flatten Your Abs teaches you exactly how to use the Swiss ball, including dozens of photographs. You’ll also learn simple but powerful abdominal exercises that require no equipment whatsoever.

“FITNESS INSIDER REVEALS CLOSELY GUARDED SECRETS TO GETTING ROCK SOLID ABS WITHOUT TAKING INEFFECTIVE FAT BURNING PILLS, BUYING EXPENSIVE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT OR DOING HUNDREDS OF PAINFUL SITUPS...”

If you’ve ever wanted to FINALLY get rid of that belly fat, then read every single word of this message. I’m going to reveal secrets to you that could get me in HUGE trouble with the “fat cat” pharmaceutical companies.

But, you know what? I don’t care! Because after 13 years of helping REAL people get rock hard abs without silly exercise equipment, doing hundreds of sit-ups and blowing money on fat burning pills, I’m going to tell you the TRUTH about what it takes to get rock hard abs!

Check it out here -> http://flattenyourownabs.com

Sarah, CPT
Lewis, Publisher
www.articles.atozfitness.com
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