Flat Abs Fitness Training

For both the person that wants to work out at home and the person who is happier at the gym or health center, the elliptical trainer is increasingly popular for its low impact but great cardiovascular workout. Whether old or young, injured or fit, an elliptical trainer suits everyone because it low impact nature means no pain and no further injury. You can workout both lower and upper bodies making them a great fitness machine for people who are trying to improve fitness and stamina, as well as those new to exercise who want to lose weight. Having your own at home is a great investment but you need to know what to look for.

Due to its popularity there are now a lot of brands and models on the market today to choose from. Prices start around $500 and go all the way up to $5000. Though the less expensive models may be more tempting to your wallet, do consider that a cheap price probably means cheap components that may go wrong sooner rather than later. The flywheel is key to an elliptical trainer – it generates the circling motion and the resistance for your workouts.

In most lower priced elliptical models they cut cost by using a flywheel that uses a belt to generate the resistance. This belt wears very easily and quickly, so the trainer would be no good for regular use. If you want to be able to change up the intensity of your workouts often and use it more than a couple of times a week, you need an elliptical with a flywheel that uses a magnetic system that gets the resistance by alternating electrical current.

The flywheel’s position is also a factor to consider before you make a purchase. Older models have one large flywheel which fits at the back of the trainer. They are therefore large machines, which may be a problem if you have limited space. However there is now an alternative to this, which designers say improves the machine’s stability and smooth motion. Some later models have two smaller flywheels that sit next to each other making a fatter machine but not as long.

Very importantly you need to check the flywheel mechanisms warranty. You need a warranty on this part, and most decent brands will at least offer a year, though some have warranties that are as long as 5 years or fall somewhere in between. Make sure you opt for a known brand that can be trusted, check out the reviews of models you are considering and pay particular care to the flywheel.

Elliptical fitness equipment and accessories. Today’s special: Kettler Elliptical Cross Trainer

When beginning an abdominal workout routine, for most people the goal is simple: a flatter abdominal. While a smooth, flat abdominal looks good, it is less of an accomplishment if the the abdominal muscles have not gained any strength. In addition to slimming down around the outer abdominals, it is also important to build strength in the core abdominals. Below are some abdominal exercises that work out the core to build strong muscles throughout the abdomen. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Tone Your Torso

Begin this abdominal exercise on all fours, knees and hands on the floor. Keep your abdominal pulled in and extend your left arm out in front of you (football fans, imagine a referee signaling first down). Keep this arm outstretched as you extend your right leg out behind you. Switch arms and legs, and repeat for an entire set. Take particular care not to let your pelvis sway out of position.

Butt Burner

You will need to lie on your back for this exercise. Use a mat or towel to cushion your spine. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor, and position your arms at your sides. Squeeze your buttocks as you lift your pelvis off the floor. Keep the rest of your body in line. Raise your pelvis to about forty-five degrees, so your upper body from your head to your knees makes a straight, flat ramp. Hold this for three to five seconds before slowly lowering your pelvis back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

Crunchless Crunch

This abdominal exercise is fairly simple in theory but can be fairly difficult to perform. Essentially, it involves trying to pull the belly button in towards the spine. This can be tricky, as it involves using muscles which you may not be used to activating. To start, either lie or on your abdominal or kneel. You might want to try both ways and see which helps you feel the exercise better. Relax your body as much as possible, then try to use only the lower abdominals to move your belly button toward your spine. Hold for ten seconds. If this feels easy, hold for a longer period. The goal is to hold the contraction until you either cannot feel it, or you feel other muscles working harder than the transverse abdominus. When you feel this, let the contraction out.

Scissor Kicks

This abdominal exercise also requires lying on the floor. Position your hands under your butt, keeping your back pressed against the floor. Slowly raise one leg to a height of about ten inches, then slowly lower it back to the floor. As your lower one leg, raise the other. Repeat this motion for an entire set. Maintaining control throughout is important, not allowing momentum to get the better of you. Your upper body should remain on the floor through the entire move.

These are just a few of all the strength building abdominal exercises out there. If you are looking to build strength in your midsection, look for any exercise that works your core, especially the transverse abdominal muscles. Many components of Pilates are good for this also.