The abs are a tricky area to target – but a toned stomach is a top goal of many who go to the gym. And many gyms can have hundreds of pieces of equipment, making it hard to know what to use to target your abs & stomach.
We’ll go through 10 pieces of equipment at the gym you can use to get a sculpted core.
1. Ab Rollers
The tiny piece of equipment known as an ab roller is an underrated tool to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether holding a plank or a pike, an ab roller lets you control the force on your core. So if you see somebody using an ab roller at your gym, it’s a safe bet to make that they have a great stomach. Plus, the small size of ab rollers makes it easy to work out while you’re also away from home.
2. Fitness Balls
Crunches in all shapes and forms can be performed using a fitness ball, which makes it an invaluable part of any ab workout. So whether you’re doing wall sits, leg raises, planks, traditional crunches, or something entirely different, there’s a near-limitless amount of ab exercises available if you invest in a fitness ball – or if your gym has them available.
3. Ellipticals
If you think ellipticals are exclusively designed for cardio, think again! The trick is not to use the handles while you’re working out – this forces your core to compensate for the lack of natural balance your arms give you, which will naturally lead to an extensive abdominal workout. Not bad, right?
Cardio machines are the perfect equipment to warm up your body for an intense workout while giving your abs some much-needed attention.
4. Pull-Up Bars
If you have a pull-up bar, you have given your abs plenty of exercise options. From hanging leg raises to knee tucks to hanging crunches, a pull-up bar is an essential piece of equipment to train ab muscles – in addition to being invaluable for back exercises. Just be careful about overexerting your shoulders, as they can easily take a beating due to improper form.
5. Cable Machines
Consider yourself the luckiest person in the gym if you find yourself alone with a cable machine because they are the single-best machine to use for incredible abs. Rope-assisted weighted crunches? Check. Cable torso rotations? Check. Cable side crunches? Check. Do yourself a favor and become highly familiar with the cable machine because the possibilities are endless!
6. Kettlebells
As one of the most versatile pieces of equipment found in a gym, kettlebells are incredibly fantastic at working out your abdominal muscles. Renegade rows, which involve using your hips to swing a kettlebell between your legs and up to your shoulders, is an advanced maneuver due to the stress it puts on your shoulders and back.
7. Rowing Machines
Although rowing machines primarily strengthen back muscles, you can utilize them for killer ab workouts. For example, performing knee tucks while sitting on a rowing machine – don’t worry about actually rowing – is an effective way to develop your midsection. Just ensure you keep your form upright or risk hurting your lower back.
8. Stair Climbers
If you’re shocked that you can use stair climbers to build an impressive six-pack, you’re not alone. I equate stair climbers with building leg and butt muscles. Still, by simply contracting your abdominal muscles while slowly working through your cardio, the stair climber can be as effective as more traditional ab equipment.
9. Hanging Ab Straps
I’ll be frank: hanging ab straps can be intimidating, and I steered clear of them because I regrettably didn’t know how they worked. However, educating myself on how to use hanging ab straps was a game-changer for my workouts, and I’m sure many people will echo this sentiment.
Hanging knee tucks are a full-body workout targeting your core to an extreme degree, and it’s a must-have exercise for anybody who wants to take their abs to the next level.
10. Upright Exercise Bikes
Like ellipticals and rowing machines, you can use upright exercise bikes for reasons other than hours of sweat-inducing cardio. After all, it’s all about tightening your core while pedaling. So whether you’re going slow and steady or trying to set your personal speed record, remember your midsection while on an exercise bike – your abs will thank you.