Ab Exercise Equipment

Washboard abs in just 10 minutes a day? Oh yeah, sure, and pigs fly in November. Just for the record, most of that is just marketing hype. Don't get swept up in all the hype, and instead, consider the following few things when deciding to buy an ab exercise equipment:

#1. Ab exercise equipment does not burn fat.

It's sad, but true. And also quite a common misconception that people often have. Not surprising really, considering the avalanche of ab exercise equipment that is all over the market these days. But if you want to be a discriminating buyer, then don't let advertisers' claims fool you into actually believing that ab exercise equipment can actually burn fat. One word: NO. An ab exercise equipment is more of a toning or strengthening device.

#2. Only diet can help you shed those extra fats in your tummy.

Watch the commercials for ab exercise equipment closely. They usually say it in fine print at some point during the advertisement. If you really want to get rid of those fats that covers your abdominal area, then an ab exercise equipment is not the answer you are looking for. Nothing beats a healthy, low-fat, reduced-calorie diet. The ab exercise equipment only comes in after your fats are out of the picture, helping sculpt your ab muscles to washboard shape.

#3. There is no such thing as spot reducing.

When you exercise a particular body part, the exercise will not cause you to lose fat in that area. What it only does is tone the underlying muscle. The fat remains and if you want to get rid of it, you need more than just exercise, e.g., you need to diet, too.

#4. Roller type of ab exercise equipment are not the only answers to neck strain during exercises.

This is considered as a big selling point of ab exercise equipment, specifically the "roller" types, such as an exercise ball. While it is true that they do indeed reduce neck strain, it is also true that this does not necessarily mean that they are more effective than good old crunches. If done properly, crunches will not cause neck strain and are just as effective at toning your stomach muscles.

#5. Crunches are not ineffective as muscle toning exercises.

Here is the right way of doing it:

* Lie down with your knees bent and your back flat on the floor.
* Place your hands behind your head. DON'T lace your fingers. Keep your elbows back.
* Now, raise your chest and shoulders several inches from the ground while gently supporting your head. DON'T grab your nape and DON'T apply force in your hands to help you raise yourself up. This is what causes neck strain in crunches improperly practiced.
* Exhale as you come up. Inhale as you release.