Tips For Using An Ab Bench

In order to get the most out of your ab bench, you'll want to take advantage of its adjustability. Not only can it be altered to fit your specific body type, but the angle at which you work your abs, as well. Using an ab board can be fun, but this adjustability will also make it more effective.

In order to prevent injury, it's a good idea to make certain that you're warmed up before you hop on your ab bench. Begin with an easy jog or another kind of light cardio work that will get the blood flowing. After a few minutes, move into some light stretching to stretch your muscles. Don't push too hard, though: You don't want to force a stretch and risk damaging the muscle.

There's one more step before you're ready to get on the ab board, and that's adjusting the ab bench itself. Not only can you alter the angle at which you use the ab board, but a variety of models also allow for different levels of adjustment. Generally speaking, the greater the angle, the more you're working your abs. If you're a beginner, it might be best to keep the board flat until you're more comfortable with the exercise.

A stronger person will want to take advantage of the deeper angles. This will allow them to work their abs with more intensity. If you're unsure how strong you are, I would suggest starting with no decline. After a few workouts, change the decline to the next lowest setting and see how that feels.

Once you've adjusted the ab bench to your taste, climb on! Tighten your abdominals, though not too hard, for better results. Inhale and slowly pull yourself up, exhaling as you do so.

Keep your arms and head still, and don't swing them for momentum. Let your abs do the work. It's all right if you can't make it all the way up at first. Just do what you can. Eventually, with work and discipline, you'll soon find it easier.

Try, at first, three sets of 20 repetitions each. When you're done with that, you can move on to the next exercise which will begin to work and strengthen the lower abs.

Hitting your lower abs effectively is easier if you alter your position so that your head is where your feet are usually anchored. Grip the ab board by holding on to either the board or foot anchors with your hands. To do one rep, bring your navel to your spine, then exhale as you curl your knees up towards your chest. As with the upper abs, do 3 sets of 20 repetitions.

As you progress, you can add weight to your exercises. For the crunches and sit ups, you can hold a weight across your chest. For the lower ab exercise I described, you can add ankle weights to give you more resistance.