Answers (6)
2
Yes! All of them seem to work. Unfortunately, few work as well as not using them at all. I have found that the ab rockers are a pretty good assistance for people who are prone to pulling their neck though. Holding the contraction for just a moment at the peak of your abdominal exercise will net more results than anything you are going to purchase... well, at least thats my observation. Take it for what its worth, and maybe save some cash.
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Laura, "yes," they work to make the sellers a great deal of money. In terms of improving the health and fitness of the buyers, “no" since the solution to a health and fitness conundrum is never just one device, no matter how well designed. A single device could be part of a solution, but so could nothing at all since a plank is all most people need to strengthen their abdominal muscles. The best thing about the plank is that it is free including shipping and handling! But if I had to choose one device, it would be the ab wheel (when used correctly,) which at one point was a late night infomercial too!
http://www.amazon.com/Valeo-Dual-Ab-Wheel/dp/B002JSP23Q
Phil Carpenter Lee
LightSpeed Fitness, Inc.
http://www.amazon.com/Valeo-Dual-Ab-Wheel/dp/B002JSP23Q
Phil Carpenter Lee
LightSpeed Fitness, Inc.
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According to the latest research it suggests that abdominal devices do not elicit any greater or lesser involvement of the abdominal musculature than performing similar exercises unassisted.
A good book to read is "The New Rules of Lifting for Abs” by Lou Schuler - The rules are mostly based on research that’s been published in the past several years: “The most important role of the abdominal muscles is to protect your spine”; “You can’t protect your spine by doing exercises that damage it”; “Your spine is already flexed (from too much sitting and hunching), and flexing it more (by doing crunches) just makes it worse.”
A good book to read is "The New Rules of Lifting for Abs” by Lou Schuler - The rules are mostly based on research that’s been published in the past several years: “The most important role of the abdominal muscles is to protect your spine”; “You can’t protect your spine by doing exercises that damage it”; “Your spine is already flexed (from too much sitting and hunching), and flexing it more (by doing crunches) just makes it worse.”
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compared to what and to what end? In short don't waste your money on something that can be replace without any equipment. Save your money and buy a book on core training. In the long run you will be glad you did.
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Core training is so often done incorrectly. I see people who really are setting themselves up for injury (jerky movements, excess pulling on cervical region, overextending lumbar area, too much weight ect.) I think machines are not required or needed for core training, but that is my opinion.
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Hi Laura. To answer your question as it's posed, I'd have to say "yes," some of these machines do work. To me though the better question is "do they work better than other (non-machine) options?" To me, the answer is "no," or at least "not enough to warrant the extra expense." As you know, there are so many exercise options for our core that do NOT entail using a machine, that there really is not much need for the additional expense. With a little creativity, we can exercise and condition our core, and more specific to your question, our abs without the need for a machine.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com
