Chiseled abs! (part 2 of 2)

Now it's time for a lighter subject: those hilarious ab-training devices that are sold on TV and surprisingly enough seem to be bought by about every yahoo with a credit card these days. So far I have yet to see a single health or training-related product advertised on TV that does NOT have claims so ridiculous that it makes you wonder why nobody has sued them yet. First of all - whenever they talk about instant results, only 5 mins per week required or spot-reduction of fat, they're lying through their teeth no matter WHO they paid off to say the opposite!

Let's get it straight - there are no shortcuts!! Ever!!

Secondly, look at the actual range of motion: If the motion does NOT decrease the distance between the ribcage and the pelvis, it does NOT train the abs sufficiently. I remember one device in particular, shaped like a stealth-fighter or something, where you were supposed to grab onto two handles, put a pad against your tummy and then use your arms to pull the device towards you so that the pad would sink into the device bracing itself against your abs. Umm... In that case I should great abs by doing barbell-rows, as it's essentially the same motion. What did the action? The ARMS were PULLING something BACKWARDS - as in a barbell row, which I'd like to call a back-movement. Did the distance between the ribcage and the pelvis change? Nope. What we have is a static exercise for the abs, which does not train the muscle sufficiently. I mean, hey, if you build your abdominal muscles by resisting outside force, you could build the abs of your life by letting your little brother hit you repeatedly in the midsection with a baseball bat!

Any volunteers for a study?

Go To Page: 1 2 3