Wokring out abs at home-best device

billyhead · 05-04-2009 9:45am #1

Lads/Lassies,

I know nothing beats the conventional sit up routines for working the abs but I was wondering are of of those Ab rollers and machines you can get in the likes of Argos etc any good. I was thinking of getting one to use at home when not in the gym or out training.

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 10:55am

billyhead wrote: »

Lads/Lassies,

I know nothing beats the conventional sit up routines for working the abs but I was wondering are of of those Ab rollers and machines you can get in the likes of Argos etc any good. I was thinking of getting one to use at home when not in the gym or out training.

Its simple mate, go to the gym. Buying stuff like that is a waste of money imho. They will just end up used as a coat rack. If you really must get something like that get a medicine ball and work with that.

ronbyrne2005 · 05-04-2009 11:34am

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=ab+wheel&meta=&aq=f&oq=

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 1:50pm

ronbyrne2005 wrote: »

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=ab+wheel&meta=&aq=f&oq=

Thats a waste of time and money..

Malteaser! · 05-04-2009 1:55pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Thats a waste of time and money..

Why?? It's gonna be far cheaper than your suggestion of joining a gym.

Theresalwaysone · 05-04-2009 2:36pm

billyhead wrote: »

Lads/Lassies,

I know nothing beats the conventional sit up routines for working the abs but I was wondering are of of those Ab rollers and machines you can get in the likes of Argos etc any good. I was thinking of getting one to use at home when not in the gym or out training.

Loads of things beat the "conventional sit-ups",

Plank.
Bike Crunches.
Leg Raises.
Squats.
Overhead Presses.

Im sure there are loads more too, AND exercises like squats and presses etc work more muscles.

Saying that, Ab rollouts with barbells are also good for the core and they are fundamentally the same as the ab-roller you are asking about.

billyhead · 05-04-2009 2:56pm

I do go to the gym. I was just asking so I can do some complimentary work on the Abs in the evening or on a day off. I train during my lunch break from work so I wiuld have time in the evening to do some added work (and even though I have single digit bodyfat and abs showing already) I just wanted to hit them more in the evenings.

Hanley · 05-04-2009 4:04pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Thats a waste of time and money..

:rolleyes: One of the more effective ab strengthening exercises out there is a waste of time now?

cardio,shoot me · 05-04-2009 4:17pm

a good exercise accidently befelled me today, failed on a 72.5kg bench press and there was no one in the weights room

, had to "sit up" it, abs where in ruins after XD

colly10 · 05-04-2009 6:39pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Thats a waste of time and money..

Ross Enamait uses them and he seems to know what he's doing

SparkyLarks · 05-04-2009 6:45pm

Do an abs routine, every second month the fitness mags have something.
Planks
crunches,
twisting crunches
reverse crunches,
Side planks

but remember to do back exercises as well, a strong core isn't just about abs

if you want to get an ab ball they are good.
Or a pull up bar and do hanging raises

rubadub · 05-04-2009 7:07pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Thats a waste of time and money..

You obviously never used one, they are savagely hard to do.
He linked ab wheels

While ab rollers are pretty useless.

colly10 wrote: »

Ross Enamait uses them and he seems to know what he's doing

Here is ross's video of them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmPxIUt7AEw

Waste of time alright, look at the beer belly on him;)

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

Loads of things beat the "conventional sit-ups",

+1, I never do them. Gymnastic rings also allow a lot of moves, you can do ab rollouts on them, like the ab wheel. You can do leg & knee raises, L sits and tricep pushup/extensions on them really work the abs well.

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 8:53pm

I wouldnt always be suckered into what you read on the packet. Yeah that guy promotes the product but im sure he does other workouts than that wheel.

You shouldnt work your abs every single day dude. Your stomach muscles arent like other muscles in your body. If your doing the right moves and the right amount three times a week it should be enough.

Hanley · 05-04-2009 9:39pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

I wouldnt always be suckered into what you read on the packet. Yeah that guy promotes the product but im sure he does other workouts than that wheel.

You seriously don't have a clue if you think rollouts are ineffective.

rubadub · 05-04-2009 9:43pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

I wouldnt always be suckered into what you read on the packet. Yeah that guy promotes the product but im sure he does other workouts than that wheel.

But there is no packet! he is not putting his name to some dodgy device sold on late night TV. He is not even selling them or recommending any commercial ones, in fact he gives guides on how to make them as he uses more stable ones than the usual commercially available ones.

His site has some great links to homemade equipment http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=157&sid=21b665b485c421a9fbb864789ebd5c55

Of course he does other exercises, but it is not like the phoney ads with lads who do build their body in a gym and then appear in slendertone ads as though it got them the abs.

Nobody is being conned here, again, I have no doubt that you have never used one.

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 10:22pm

Hanley wrote: »

You seriously don't have a clue if you think rollouts are ineffective.

Im a fitness instructor mate. And im not saying it dosent work im just saying there is better ways.

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 10:24pm

rubadub wrote: »

But there is no packet! he is not putting his name to some dodgy device sold on late night TV. He is not even selling them or recommending any commercial ones, in fact he gives guides on how to make them as he uses more stable ones than the usual commercially available ones.

His site has some great links to homemade equipment http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=157&sid=21b665b485c421a9fbb864789ebd5c55

Of course he does other exercises, but it is not like the phoney ads with lads who do build their body in a gym and then appear in slendertone ads as though it got them the abs.

Nobody is being conned here, again, I have no doubt that you have never used one.

Sorry just seen the homemade version youtube clip there and shouldnt have assumed he was promoting the product. Like i said in my other post im not saying the product dosent work but there is easier and better ways to work your abs. I guess im just against home gym products.

rubadub · 05-04-2009 10:26pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Im a fitness instructor mate. And im not saying it dosent work im just saying there is better ways.

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Im sick of the people on that forum. Im a graphic designer and I have to say I wont be using it again!:mad:

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

See ive a chance of doing a course at a television company and I go on a work placement then a possibilty of some work there. The idea of data enrty compared to a media placement out weighs the other. But id have to wait thats the problem??? If I start the job then i wouldnt be entitled to do the media course as you have to be unemployed??

Jack of all trades....

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 10:30pm

rubadub wrote: »

Jack of all trades....

Was a graphic designer until 2008 got pissed off with it retrained as a fitness instructor and im loving it!

Are you keeping a wee eye on me mr moderator?

Malteaser! · 05-04-2009 10:33pm

Maybe you should try using one before you start commenting on the effectiveness of them

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 10:36pm

Malteaser! wrote: »

Maybe you should try using one before you start commenting on the effectiveness of them

I dont need one to be honest.

colly10 · 05-04-2009 11:02pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

I wouldnt always be suckered into what you read on the packet. Yeah that guy promotes the product but im sure he does other workouts than that wheel..

He doesn't promote it, he's not selling it, he actually says don't buy one cause your better off making one for yourself. He is someone with alot of credibility and has nothing to gain by saying there useful

injured365 · 05-04-2009 11:05pm

I kinda make an ab roller out of a couple of small weights and barbells. I use it when i want to mix up my workout a bit. I find it does work your core fairly effectively but can be tricky to use at the beginning

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 11:10pm

injured365 wrote: »

I kinda make an ab roller out of a couple of small weights and barbells. I use it when i want to mix up my workout a bit. I find it does work your core fairly effectively but can be tricky to use at the beginning

Id be careful with home made equipment you can be doing yourself damage without even knowing it.

The best advice I can give for home equipment if you really must is the medicine ball. Great for abs thats what I use in the gym.

Theresalwaysone · 05-04-2009 11:11pm

Obviously not a very good PT if your not open to new ideas/methods.

If you havent used one then you shouldnt really be so against them. No sensible reason for it.

Mr Tombstone · 05-04-2009 11:15pm

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

Obviously not a very good PT if your not open to new ideas/methods.

If you havent used one then you shouldnt really be so against them. No sensible reason for it.

Hey thats not on dude, if you dont agree with me cool, but dont say im not a good PT. Im only giving my opinion on home gym equipment and im always open to new ideas in fitness! So leave off the personal attack please. :mad:

Hanley · 06-04-2009 6:52am

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Hey thats not on dude, if you dont agree with me cool, but dont say im not a good PT. Im only giving my opinion on home gym equipment and im always open to new ideas in fitness! So leave off the personal attack please. :mad:

You're not a PT. You're a fitness instructor and one who really should do a bit more research before running their mouth off.

Do a rollout from your feet and tell me it's not one of the best ab exercises out there.

aye · 06-04-2009 9:13am

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Was a graphic designer until 2008 got pissed off with it retrained as a fitness instructor and im loving it!

Are you keeping a wee eye on me mr moderator?

what course did you do?
surely if you only started the course in 2008, and as most courses run from sept to may, then you are still attending it no?

as a fitness instructor you should try out the product/exercise yourself before saying that it is ineffective, whether you need to or not.

i qualified as a fitness instrcutor and personal trainer last year, but there is still learning to be done. fitness is a vast subject, one that requires constant learning, and only basics are covered in a fitness instructor course tbh.

rubadub · 06-04-2009 9:29am

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

Was a graphic designer until 2008 got pissed off with it retrained as a fitness instructor and im loving it!

Are you keeping a wee eye on me mr moderator?

I was curious to see your other posts, as I was shocked to see a fitness instructor who had not used one and would call it a "waste of time". Every other poster here was saying how good they are, so I wondered did you just claim to be a fitness instructor to attempt to bolster your point, as though you are the "expert" and everybody else here is wrong as you are "qualified".

Your post from last week said you have not worked in 6 months.

Roper · 06-04-2009 9:47am

OP. It's Blue Peter time.

You will need:
A crappy old dumbell, one of the sort you buy from Argos will do. Someone you know will have some under their bed that they got for their 16th birthday. I still have the ones my Ma bought me 15 years ago in my gym.
Take the bar, place a dumbell in the middle and put the two collars either side. Bingo, you have the world's simplest ab wheel.

Ab roll outs are of course not the be all and end all of trunk training, but they are very good and very effective and if you can you should include them.

billyhead · 06-04-2009 10:23am

Thanks Roper but I think I may just get the real thing. Does anyone know where you can get these online from a shop in Ireland

aye · 06-04-2009 10:32am

billyhead wrote: »

Thanks Roper but I think I may just get the real thing. Does anyone know where you can get these online from a shop in Ireland

http://www.irish-lifting.com/product_info_equipment.php?cPath=1_16&products_id=257

kevpants · 06-04-2009 10:57am

I think the problem with the ab wheel thingy is that it WAS advertised on late night TV with all the other Abtron 4000x's and other wastes of time so I think a lot of people have marked it down in the bullsh1t column as a result. I know I did!

I've never even done one because the first person I ever saw doing on was an ex cast member of "The Young and the Restless" on eurosport at about 2 in the morning in 1997.

Mr Tombstone · 06-04-2009 12:19pm

At the end of the day any type of equipment is good for your abs (as long as its not homemade) if its used right and the right reps etc. When I was younger I went througha stage of buying alot of home equipment and its now gathering dust in the shed. I tried the ab crucher and the ab board which were all good. But my point was that no matter how much you say your going to use it you never really do. Now thats just my opinion but ive found for me anyway going to the gym was a lot better than doing it at home. And maybe it will work for some of you when your not at the gym, but for me I do my stuff in the gym and thats enough if its being done right.

Ps. Did you get that PM RUBADUB?

amacachi · 06-04-2009 1:16pm

Mr Tombstone wrote: »

At the end of the day any type of equipment is good for your abs (as long as its not homemade)

:rolleyes:I suppose that applied to all other equipment like pull-up bars etc? Or just ab workout equipment?

Mr Tombstone · 06-04-2009 1:31pm

amacachi wrote: »

:rolleyes:I suppose that applied to all other equipment like pull-up bars etc? Or just ab workout equipment?

Well actualy yes......If your breathing correctly in any machine your using and if your extracting and contracting your muscles in your stomach then yes you are still working your core abs.

Remmy · 06-04-2009 1:45pm

I'm also guessing your the same guy that recommends the pec deck and half repping on full squats so as not to damage your knees?

Just because something isn't mainstream gym equipment doesn't mean it's not more efficient.

Mr Tombstone · 06-04-2009 1:47pm

Remmy wrote: »

I'm also guessing your the same guy that recommends the pec deck and half repping on full squats so as not to damage your knees?

Just because something isn't mainstream gym equipment doesn't mean it's not more efficient.

Ive already stated my comments on the wheel I dont feel I need to go over it again. What ever works for you is the best! And no im not that guy. OK

gatorade · 07-04-2009 1:43pm

I do the second part of this exercise and its great (starts at 1.20)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIZ2VhtjbMI&feature=PlayList&p=FC3B7223E480A092&index=1

Roper · 07-04-2009 2:28pm

For the vast majority of my training career, I made do with home made training equipment and it was better than 90% of what's available in gyms.

BrianD3 · 07-04-2009 2:52pm

The problem with the abdominal wheel is it requires a certain level of ab strength to do even one kneeling rollout. A few friends and colleagues have tried my ab wheel and I was shocked at how dramatically they lost tightness in their abs and back while attempting a kneeling rollout. I don't let anyone use the wheel now as I don't want to be blamed if someone injures their back.

So it's not the most suitable exercise for beginners. But anyone who says that it doesn't work the abs is talking sh1t!

WolfForager · 07-04-2009 4:08pm

Reply coming soon...

DAVE_K · 07-04-2009 4:26pm

ab rollouts are good as part of an ab routine

I have one made from a 12'inch bolt and a trolley wheel i got in Woodies

If you think they're a waste of time - have a go at them someday and see how your abs are feeling next day

colly10 · 07-04-2009 10:33pm

WolfForager wrote: »

Reply coming soon...

When? I can't handle the suspense

kumate_champ07 · 07-04-2009 11:50pm

conventional situps are a great way to fuk up your spine

if u have to do ab isolation work at home do hanging leg raises, u can do it from a chin up bar, theyre around a tenner from argos. u can get elbow holder things, my mind is blank know, they will stop your arms and grip tiring before your abs do

Wokring out abs at home-best device

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