3 Pieces of Abdominal Toning Equipment

There are a number of ways to tone your abdominal muscles. Firstly, there are the classic sit-up and/or crunch exercises. However, if you are thinking of spicing up your abdominal workout you may be interested in purchasing some of the abdominal training equipment that is currently on the market. Below I have outlined some of the equipment you may be interested in.

1) BALANCE BALL:- The balance ball is a very versatile piece of equipment which will exercise your abs along with the rest of your body. To keep balance on the ball your abdominal muscles have to remain contracted. It’s a lot more difficult and provides a much more intensive workout than most people think. Once you get to grips with this exercise you should start seeing more tone and definition.

2) ROWING MACHINES:- When looking at rowing machines you need to think about the features that you require and if these features match your price range. Alternatively, you can use the machines available at your local gym if they suit your needs. Regularly using a rowing machine will tone and strengthen your abdominal muscles whilst also working your shoulders, forearms, biceps, triceps and legs.

3) THE RED EXERCISER:- The Red Exerciser is one of the newest pieces of abdominal exercise equipment on the market. With The Red Exerciser you can keep the upper body still (by grabbing the handles) whilst oscillating your lower body using the abdominal muscles. If you exercise with this machine 30-60 minutes per session and do three or more sessions a week, you will start to notice great results.

4) OTHER ABDOMINAL MACHINES:- Apart from the abdominal machines listed above there are many great alternatives on the market which include the Ab Roller and the Ab Lounger. If none of the above are quite what you are looking for have a look on the Internet for other abdominal equipment. Also try asking instructors at your local gym to recommend some equipment to you. By doing this I’m sure you will find something that suits your needs.

So if you’re interested in trying some new abdominal equipment I hope the above article has helped you decide. If you don’t fancy using equipment that’s fine also. Just stick with crunches, sit-ups etc.

Whichever abdominal exercise you focus upon remember that this will just tighten your stomach. You also need to reduce the excess fat around your abdominal area. This fat reduction can be achieved with a healthy diet and cardiovascular exercise. Follow this advice and you will be on your way towards brandishing the ‘washboard stomach you’ve always dreamed of.

3 Stomach Toning Abdominal Exercises

A lot of people who exercise regularly strive for a ‘washboard stomach’ or ’six pack abs’. Along with the arms, the abdominal muscles are one of the muscle groups most focussed upon by exercisers. Toned abdominals are a great focal point for both men and women and can really enhance the look of your whole body. In this article we will discuss The Ab-Wheel, The Bicycle and Hindu Push-Ups. All of these are simple, quick and effective exercises which will help strengthen your abdominals in no time at all.

1) THE AB-WHEEL:- For this exercise you need the equipment of the same name. It is basically just a small wheel with a short bar in the middle, that has hand grips on either side.

• To begin, kneel down on the floor with your knees pushed together and place the wheel on the floor in front of you. Grab the wheel with your hands and lock your arms out straight.
• When you are in position roll the wheel forward slowly until your arms and hands are in front of your head. You should be between three and six inches off the floor but make sure your body doesn’t actually touch the floor.
• After this reverse the motion, arch your back and pull yourself back to the starting point (using your abs).
• Remember to take deep breaths as you start and breathe out as you stretch forward when performing this exercise. One set is represented by between seven to ten repetitions.

2) THE BICYCLE:- For this exercise lay down flat on the floor and make sure you press your lower back downwards.

• To begin, place your hands behind your head, with your fingers laced together.
• Next, bring your knees up to your chest and begin to rotate them at close to 45 degrees. The motion should resemble peddling a bicycle.
• As you are performing the peddling motion, touch your left elbow to your right knee and then your right elbow to your left knee.

3) HINDU PUSH UPS:- For this exercise you need to get on your hands and knees and spread your legs very wide with your rear end up.

• To begin, bend your elbows (like a common push up) and bring your back downward in an arc.
• Then straighten your arms so that your back is arched upwards with your hips just above the ground.

A combination of the above abdominal exercises will help you strengthen your stomach muscles. If you breathe deeply whilst performing these exercises you can also strengthen your lungs, build upper body strength, increase your endurance and improve your flexibility. Perform these exercises for a minimum of five minutes a day and you will notice the change in your abdominal strength.

Remember that strong, toned abdominal muscles are just the first step towards having a great looking stomach. You also need to reduce the layer of fat around your stomach area. Make sure that you incorporate lots of fruit and vegetables into your diet. Also, drink plenty of water. Finally, make sure that you remain active and regularly perform cardiovascular exercise. If you follow these simple steps and incorporate the above three exercises into your daily routine you will be on your way towards having those great looking abs you have always dreamed of.

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If you found these abdominal exercises useful you may want to read Firm and Flatten your Abs, an excellent guide to toning your abdominal muscles. It contains an additional 44 abdominal exercise accompanied by over 100 exercise photographs.