|
|
The Ab Lounge Chair Workout: Don't be a Cheater
Whether you already have an Ab Lounge, or you're considering purchasing the product for all of your home abdominal exercise needs, proper use is something you'll need to consider. Keep in mind that proper positioning and an awareness of what you're doing as you perform each movement are essential to get a good abdominal workout. This machine makes it all too easy to get lazy and cheat by recruiting other muscles to help.
Don't be a cheater. The ab lounger chair is designed for mass-market use: meaning that almost anyone should be able to use it easily and efficiently. I have read some reviews that say initial assembly is a bit difficult, but that once that's out of the way it should be fairly easy to use.
Keep in mind that the overhead handle and lower leg support (either pedals, or a bar to rest your legs on, depending on the model) are designed to minimize muscle strain. However, they can easily be converted to "cheater bars" if you're not careful.
The chair works by providing support while you perform a fairly straightforward crunching motion. For people who suffer from a good deal of lower back pain, or for whom getting down onto the floor and back up again to perform regular crunches is painful or difficult, this machine may be a good solution.
But remember that to get the best workout, any and all movement should originate from the abdominal muscles. Too tight a grip on the handle, or too much straining against the foot pedals will result in the same crunching movement, but without working the abdominals as much as is possible.
The goal is to isolate the abdominals, and with any machine, there is a chance that other unrelated muscles can end up performing the bulk of the work. In this case it's the hips that are the culprit. To isolate the target, it helps to really visualize the contraction in your abs, and strengthen that "mind-muscle" connection in the process.
With all abdominal exercises and exercise machines, remember that very small, controlled movements are often more effective than large, swinging ones. As you build abdominal strength, you will simultaneously increase the range of any given movement; but it's best to start small.
The Ab Lounge chair is no exception to this rule. If you're determined to get your workout on this machine, don't force yourself to use its full "jackknife" range of motion on the first day. Rather, concentrate on smaller, controlled movements using only abdominal contraction. Keep your grip lose and your mind on your abs, and you should see strength gains with consistent use.
On a closing note, remember that although the ab lounge chair can really work your midsection effectively, for a complete abdominal workout you're going to need to throw in a couple more exercises. Crunches are unsurpassed in terms of their ability to stimulate a "peak" contraction. Stomach vacuums are also essential for anyone looking to train their transverse abdominals and retain a tighter midsection and better posture throughout the day.
|
 |
Please Rate: |
|
Rating: |
 Processing ... |
(Average: Not rated) |
| Views: | 8 | |
|
| More Articles from Fitness | | |
| Top Articles in Fitness | | |
|
