by Wall St. Peon on Sun Apr 08, 2007 5:16 pm
Abs...well, this is what I sent to someone who asked me this same question. You can do these without a machine (except the last one) with better results.
As for abs, here's a list of exercises that I do:
Crunches: at least 3 sets of 25; keep your lower back on the ground and
keep your abs flexed throughout.
The rest do at least 3 sets of 15.
V-Up: Put your torso @ 45 degrees while sitting. Support with your arms. Stretch your legs in front, bent at the knee, and lift your legs so your body is in a V. This works your lower abs and obliques
Leg raise: Lay on your back with your hands under your butt and lift your legs so you body makes a backwards L; push your legs up towards the ceiling. This also works your lower abs. As your legs are in the air, try to hold them and go down slowly. Make sure you don't push your body up with your hands.
Trunk curl and crunch: get in a crunch position and raise your legs at a 30 degree angle straight out in front of you. As you perform a crunch, pull your legs towards your elbows at a 90 degree angle.
Knee Ins (you need a bench for these): sit on the edge of a bench. Lean back and support yourself at a 45 degree angle with your arms. Hold your legs in front of you and pull them towards your chest, then extend them again.
Side bends: stand, and, using one free weight, hold it on one side. Put your opposite hand on your waist. Bend in the opposite direction as far as possible to increase the range of motion. After at least 15 reps, switch arms and do the same.
Ab machine (the one I use is a Hammer Curl...very tough one): these are always good if you have access. They're a nice all-around workout for your abs and you can add additional weight.
As for everything else, I recommend an eliptical if you're going to get a indoor cardio machine (low impact, less stress on the knees), and I recommend the Bowflex/Nautilus adjustable bar bells as well. A guy I work out with occasionally has thouse, and they're handy as hell. Don't waste your money on ab machine's unless they actually have adjustable resistance, as the best exercises are ones where you use your own body as resistance.
Shane