If you want to tighten those abs and lose some of that annoying stomach fat, it is, of course, possible to do so without any equipment at all. However, there are some pieces of equipment that can drastically increase your ability to tone your belly and work those core abdominal muscles.
The good news is that not all abs exercise equipment in expensive. In fact, some of the equipment below is very simple and, in some instances, can be exchanged for a homemade alternative.
A Floor Mat
One of the most fundamental pieces of equipment, the floor mat is still incredibly beneficial and can be bought relatively cheaply. A floor mat will allow you to perform some of the best ab exercises, such as the vertical leg crunch, the plank and the bicycle crunch, in complete comfort.
Large Exercise Ball
With the physical benefits and fun provided by an exercise ball, it is little wonder that they are growing in popularity. A large ball is recommended to anyone who is looking for equipment, because it offers unlimited possibilities for ab workouts.
Chin-Up Bar
Although it may be thought of as a purely upper body exercise, chin-ups are a great way to build core muscle strength and tone the abs as well as the arms. A chin-up bar is one of the simplest pieces of abs exercise equipment and a doorframe bar can be purchased for a very reasonable price.
Vertical Knee Raise Machine
If you can afford a more sophisticated piece of equipment, then the vertical knee raise machine could be what you are looking for. It is possibly too large for the average home gym, but if you can afford it and have the space, this piece of equipment will enable you to perform vertical leg raise (Captain's Chair) exercises, which are thought to be one of the most effective workouts for the abdominal region.
Rowing Machine
Rowing machines come in a range of sizes and vary in sophistication. For the average home gym, you will be looking at one of the less expensive smaller machines. Whatever machine you choose, however, rowing exercises are an excellent way to increase stamina, improve core strength, and work those abs.
Medicine Balls
This great exercise equipment comes in a range of sizes, textures and weights. The medicine balls offer a limitless variety of possible exercises and will enable you to increase core strength and stamina. However, to avoid injury, it is advisable to use a medicine ball workout book or DVD.
Kettlebells
Like medicine balls, kettlebells come in a variety of sizes and weights and are becoming ever more popular in workout regimes. Because kettlebell workouts require the work of many different muscle groups, they are a good way to improve overall fitness in a relatively short period of time. As with medicine balls, you should seek advice before using kettlebells, as it is easy to sustain injury if lifting incorrectly.
Although, as previously mentioned, none of this abs exercise equipment is necessary, they can all dramatically increase the effectiveness of your workouts.
