The AB Lounge: Is this machine really effective

Not to put too fine a point on it, but most fitness experts say the popular “ab lounger” advertised on TV is, well, let’s call it “bogus,” as the kids say.

One of the first of these, say fitness experts, was something called “The AB Rocker,” back in 1998. People who bought this contraption soon found out that it did nothing for the abdominal muscles that regular crunches didn’t do. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of people simply wasted their $20.

Well, today’s “AB Lounger” is yesterday’s “AB Rocker,” say physical fitness trainers. End of story, not quite.

People who have back problems insist that devices like the AB Lounger are helpful for them, since they can do regular crunches because of their back ailments. While experts acknowledge this may be true, there are ways to do crunches that are possible even for folks with bad backs.

In fact some of the modifications are designed by physical therapists specifically to enable people with bad backs to do abdominal exercises that will strengthen their abs to support their backs.

However, anyone who’s thinking an “AB lounger” would be more effective than other exercises, eliminate stomach fat, or help them lose weight quicker, well; you’ve been caught by the hype. Come out of the fantasy.

Trainers say that an “AB lounger” is LESS effective than crunches. In general, when using any kind of machine, rather than the strength of muscles, to exercise, what happens is that the machines do part of the work.

When doing exercises off machines, you have to engage the stabilizer muscles, such as with any kind of weight training, to keep the weight in place. The more muscles you use, the better your results. So much for the first claim of greater effectiveness.

Experts also say that an “AB Lounger” WON’T eliminate stomach fat. In fact, NO exercise will get rid of stomach fat. This is a common myth known as “spot reduction” and trainers say it just isn’t true, because it’s scientifically impossible to target fat on a single body part. Only proper nutrition will eliminate body fat. That takes care of the weight loss claim.

So in the end, save your money, say fitness trainers. Keep up basic abdominal exercises like leg raises and crunches. Eat a nutritionally balanced diet in proper proportions, and work out regularly. With effort and determination, you’ll have a lean, fit body, and you won’t waste money.