Fit Or Fat: Nutrition and Exercise

Is An Ab Machine Better Than Ordinary Sit-ups?

Posting Date: 03/05/2001

Q: I have always been somewhat fit, but now that I am in my thirties, I am making a conscience effort to really be healthy. I have had two C-sections and have just about given up hope of ever having a flat stomach.

I have recently seen ads for the ab dolly. It looks great on TV, but I am wondering.... does it really work or is it just another way for me to lose my money?

A: Every few months we see a new gizmo come on the market that claims it will work your abs better than an ordinary crunch or sit-up. While it may catch your eye, beware! There is no physical advantage to these fancy ab machines. They do the exact same thing as any exercise you can do on your own. They are just tools. And as a tool it may help to motivate you or may help you to be more consistent -- but that is about it.

It is possible that the ab dolly will help you to target the area that you want to work by making you focus on the abdominal area. But once you get the hang of it ? you can easily do the same thing with a modified crunch. Why not save your money and instead put a few minutes into really focusing on your abdominal workout ?- crunching, squeezing -- thinking about the muscles you are working.

As far as your desire to have a "flat" belly, you need to do a little reality check. You have had two babies, two cesarean sections, you are a woman, and you will have a little belly. There is nothing wrong with this. Getting your whole body fit and healthy is much more important that having a flat belly. So keep up on the aerobic part of your plan to burn fat and decrease the fat that tends to go to your belly.

By the way, don't get fooled into thinking that sit-ups get rid of the fat on your belly -- there is no such thing as spot reducing. Build muscle with ab crunches and do aerobic exercise to burn fat.

For more information on working your abdominal muscles, read this article: How Often Can I Do Abdominal Exercises?
Looking for the killer ab workout? Check out this list of exercises.

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