Ab wheel: do you use one in your workout routine?

You have probably heard of ab wheels and if not you surely would have seen them at one point.

Is it just another useless gimmick?

The ab wheel is actually a very useful device and as far as working out your core, you would have a hard time finding a more effective device for such a small price (as little as $10.00). Not only does it engage all your abdominal muscles, it also works your lower back, chest and triceps as well.

The main exercise is feel simple: Place your hands on the ab wheel handles and role out as far as you can while still in control while resting on your knees (or your feet if you are that strong).

Because it is so small it is great for taking with you when you’re traveling.  It is also a great addition to your lounge or living room.  Why not do something useful like get a six pack when the ads come on during your favorite TV program?

Some things to remember before you go out and buy one…

1. It will not burn the flab away from your stomach. Your abs can never be visible until that layer of fat is gone from your midsection. What the ab wheel will do is help the abs to increase in size so they will look better once the flab has gone.

2. Make sure your back is strong enough. Although this device can be great for strengthening your lower back, if your lower back isn’t in a healthy state compared to the rest of your body, then you are at risk of damaging it by using this device.

Wow, it’s too good to be true!

Have you ever found an item for sale on eBay and quickly realized it was the best deal of the century? You find yourself wanting to buy it even though your gut feeling is that it is probably a fake/broken/scam or simply doesn’t do what it makes out it can do. The Internet has become full of such sellers.

The peculiar thing is that there are even people who know in the back of their mind that it is too good to be true yet go on and hand over their hard earned money anyway. They want to be believe that the promises given are true and are prepared to set themselves up to be ripped off rather than listen to logic.

Ever since retail has been around there have been sales people trying to convince us to buy their product or service. The fitness industry is one of those areas where in my opinion the ‘convincing’ can be blurred with straight out lying.

If you have ever watched television then no doubt you will have seen an infomercial at least once (and I am sure that would be more times than you like)! Fitness products seem to be one of the most popular products that you will find advertised in this way. They often hire fitness models, ex sports people or movie stars and produce a very convincing case as to why their product is the be all and end all of getting the body you want.

Unfortunately I am going to have to make a confession people. Back when I was around 15 I gave in to an infomercial advertising the Body by Jake Ab Rocker. I purchased the product with money I had earned mowing lawns and was apparently on my way to a ripped mid section.

To be honest the machine was actually not totally useless. After having using it heavily for a month or so I could see some benefit. However based on what was promised compared to the benefits I actually got from the product, I have to say it was a waste of my hard earned money. I would have got better results if I had simply performed crunches. You see, they advertised the machine as an easy ’5 minute a day’ solution to getting a six pack. Well if that was true then of course who shouldn’t buy it!? Why not pay $150 so you only have to do few minutes worth of exercises a day to get chiseled abs?

Think about it readers, do you know anyone who has gone from flab to toned muscle by doing that little work? Doesn’t it sound a little too good to be true?

The truth is (as with most things in life) nothing good comes easy. If you want to be a successful businessman then you have to put in many hours of work to get to achieve that success. If you want to have a long lasting marriage then you have to invest heavily in time and also be prepared to forgive at your own cost. And if you want a six pack? Then you have to change your lifestyle, improve your diet, do frequent exercise and cardio.

I am not saying that all abdominal machines are a waste of money. And in fact I am not saying that all informercal products are useless – they can help you along the way. But, mark my words, there are no shortcuts!

So listen folks, next time you see an infomercial, or browse an internet website offering the latest gimmick or DVD, just remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Why in the world would you join a gym?

I have been working out for some time now and I have never seen the point of joining a gym.  In fact I have never put my foot inside an actual gym but I can testify that I have done more for my physical health (not to mention my wallet) than thousands of punters who do go to a gym.  Yet many people who want to lose weight, gain muscle and look better, will immediately jump to the conclusion that a gym will have all the answers.

Pros

Safety:  One main advantage of joining a gym is that you will (hopefully) have access to experienced fitness professionals who can help you perform exercises correctly.  Performing weight training incorrectly can be damaging and can sometimes result in serious injury.

Social: I will often ask why friends who have gym memberships will pay monthly fees so they can drive to the gym get on an exercycle for 30 minutes and then drive home. Why they don’t simply buy the exercycle and save the time and money by working out at home is beyond me.  Their common answer is that they enjoy the ‘social element’ to it.  Now hopefully we all have friends we can hang out with and perhaps we might enjoy meeting new people at our local gym BUT people we have to realise what fitness is about – it is improving our fitness and general health and to actually be able to see visible results.  If you want to pay a monthly gym membership fee so you can meet new people then that is fine but don’t think you’re doing you’re body any favor.

Financial motivation:  “I’ve paid the money so I better get my money’s worth” can be a good excuse-stopper.  Just don’t end up being the person who stops going to the gym but keeps paying monthly fees because they plan to eventually get back into working out.

Cons

Price: Unless you make poor decisions in the type of fitness equipment you purchase (watching too many late night infomercials are we?) paying for a gym membership is by far the most expensive option.  Most gyms will lock you into a long term contract

Time: If you’re anything like me you will already find it hard to spend time exercising and working out.  Add to that getting in the car and driving to a gym, parking it going inside and repeating the process to drive all the way home?  No thanks!

Hygienics: Who likes touching other people’s sweat?  Yeah, me neither.  Sure, I know that gyms (are supposed to) clean their equipment and that members are (supposed) to spray disinfectant after exercising but honestly, do you want to use stuff that half the gym membership have been sweating over before you came along?

Equipment: Gyms are trying to make money.  Some of the best fitness equipment is not found in gyms.  You see if you came to a gym and only used a swiss ball, dipping bar and chin up bar it wouldn’t take long for you to realise you could do most of that at home.  Gyms need to have the fancy high tech equipment to stop you from working out at home.

Location:  If you’re someone who travels a lot you’ll be paying membership fees for a gym you can’t even go along to.

Variety:  Variety is the spice of life, an overused cliché for sure, but for most it is a very valid statement.  What happens if you suddenly want to try something different for the next 3 months?  Start mountain climbing, or inline skating?  Or how about using free weights instead of machines?  You are less free to pursue these things if you are locked into a gym contract and forced to pay membership fees.

Conclusion

You can probably guess by now that I am not the biggest advocate of gym memberships.  Hey, if it works for you then by all means continue.  However if you are new to the whole fitness thing, or you’re currently a member of a gym but aren’t making any ground, then my advice is to get back to simpler methods.  Running, swimming, skipping, chin ups, crunches or press ups are just a few examples of activities that cost nothing but are just as effective as exercises you would find yourself doing at a gym (if not more effective).

If you’re into serious bodybuilding then there will be advantages to a gym.  But if you just want to get bigger and stronger, or lean and toned, there is really nothing a gym can offer you that a free alternative cannot.

NOTE: The one big advantage of a gym is that you can receive expert advice on how to perform exercises.  Getting injured from doing an exercise the wrong way is no fun.  Having experts available is great for people who have absolutely no idea.  Perhaps the best of both worlds is to attend a gym for a few months, then when you’re experienced you can work out on your own.