Since time immemorial, a slim waistline with toned and sculpted abdominal muscles has the power to slim the figure and make it more attractive. No wonder, then, that the fitness world is always on the lookout for the best gym equipment to train and tone the abs.
A flat and defined waistline, it is known, is the result of much perseverance, at the table and in the gym, although the aesthetics of the abdomen is also very sensitive to one’s genetic code.
Why train your abs with the right equipment
However, even if you cannot change your nature, the right training in the gym and a tailored diet can greatly improve the appearance of your abs.
But what many people overlook is the functionality of a toned, well-trained waist. Even before providing undeniable aesthetic satisfaction, strong abdominals protect all the internal organs contained in the abdominal cavity and play an absolutely important role in the correct mechanics of breathing, maintaining posture and balance.
The tonicity of the muscles that make up the abdominal girdle (rectus, internal and external obliques, transverse) helps to create a natural corset in the central area of the body. The abdominals, then, are not difficult muscles to develop, provided you know and use the right methods and equipment.
When it comes to abdominal training, there are three key words: integration, safety, progression, and the ideal gym equipment must meet all these requirements.
The best abdominal equipment: main features
Of the many, what are the best gym equipment for sculpted and, above all, effective abs?
1. Crunch bench
One of the most popular abdominal equipment is the crunch bench. Whether flat or declined, the bench is ideal for training all the muscles of the abdominal girdle with an incredible variety of exercises of which the most famous remains the crunch.
The crunch, i.e. bending the torso, is one of the most effective movements for toning the rectus abdominis, the muscle bundle responsible for the much-coveted six pack, the visual effect that conquers the aesthetic imagination of anyone who frequents a gym.
A highly versatile bench, such as TECA’s Decline crunch bench, allows you to vary the incline and, consequently, also the number of exercises you can perform for greater training stimulation.
2. Seated crunch machine
This gym equipment reproduces the seated torso-bending exercise and is an excellent alternative to classic supine crunches (on a bench or mat). The machine is particularly suitable for those with pain or other problems in the neck and lower back area.
3. Declined sit-up bench
The sit-up is one of the most popular and also most effective exercises for training the abdominals. The movement involves the rectus abdominis, obliques and transverse muscles, among others. Compared to the classic crunch, the sit-up is performed with the legs resting on rollers and involves a wider movement in which the space between the sternum and pelvis is reduced as much as possible.
The TECA Decline sit bench stands out in its category for the incredible variety of exercises that can be performed. Reverse crunches, leg raises and flutter kicks, to give a few examples, are very effective movements that stimulate the abdominals in a deep and targeted manner and that can be performed safely on the Decline sit bench.
While the position of the hands can vary according to the different grips, the back remains in support and the entire rest of the body is free to move in order to bring the legs, bent at 90°, as close to the sternum as possible. To increase the difficulty and vary the training stimulus, simply use the elastic bands provided.
4. Vertical bench
In the list of the best gym equipment for abdominals, the upright bench is a must. It is an essential machine to put the rectus abdominis and the obliques under the microscope with exercises such as leg lifts with the arms in support.
5. Pull-up bar
In addition to classic pull-ups, this equipment is ideal for training the abdominal muscles in suspension with movements similar to those performed on a vertical bench. Starting from the initial suspended position, you can stimulate the abdominal muscle bundles with numerous exercises, including hanging leg/knee raises, in other words leg raises from a hanging position that consist of lifting the legs (straight or with knees bent at 90°) and bringing them to the chest in a slow, controlled movement.
The Vertical Bench, another TECA abdominal training machine, combines vertical bench training and hanging exercises for an integrated and deep workout, a prerequisite for sculpting the waistline. This gym equipment, in fact, is equipped with various handles to perform not only the classic pull-ups, but also several fundamental exercises to stimulate the rectus abdominis and obliques.
6. Oblique bench
In the equation of the perfect, toned and strong waistline, targeted exercises for the obliques are a must. In order to achieve a strong abdomen, it is important to train every muscle in the abdominal wall to the best of its ability. Obliques included.
Most exercises train the rectus abdominis, the one responsible for the famous and much sought-after checkerboard or turtle shape. However, the oblique muscles should by no means be neglected, so a bench developed to stimulate them in a deep and targeted manner earns a place of honour among the best gym equipment for training the abdominals.
7. Lumbar Bench
A bench for targeted training of the lumbar muscles is a must-have piece of equipment in the gym.
Although the lumbar muscles are part of the posterior core, their tone directly influences stability and balance. Good abdominal tone is necessary both to contain and protect internal organs and to stabilise the spine together with the lumbar muscles, thus improving posture.
Lumbar and abdominal muscles, therefore, must be activated and kept toned together, with synergic and integrated work.
TECA ABSolute: the first integrated system for a strong core and sculpted abs
The scientific world has been questioning the search for a truly effective method of core and abdominal training for years. Numerous scientific studies confirm that repeated series of the most common abdominal exercises are practically ineffective.
From the American Council on Exercise to ISSA, from the University of San Diego to the University of New Mexico, they have reached the same conclusion: for abdominal and core training to be effective, a precise mix of alternating and progressive exercises, to be performed in sequence, is required.
This is why TECA has developed ABSolute, the first system for core training which incorporates the recommendations of the highest authorities in the scientific world of fitness and sport. It consists of 6 stations which allow focused, sequential, alternating and progressive stimulation using all the movements of the spinal column (flexion, extension, rotation, stabilisation) to develop the abdominal muscles in their entirety.
Read more about ABSolute here https://tecafitness.com/it/core-zone/
Now that you know the best abdominal equipment, trust the experts who can help you.
For your gym equipment choose TECA Fitness. Contact us by phone at +39 085 903301, by email at info@tecafitness.com or come and visit us at our premises in Via Vestina 346, 65015 Montesilvano (PE) Italy.
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