Ab Lounge critique

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and very excited to have found this site! Just what I needed to wake me up to how out of control I've really been. Anyway, I have a bad habit of buying all kinds of workout stuff and then never using it. I was reading the posts about Turbo Jam and I've really wanted to get it too! BUT, tonight I had on QVC and they had the Original Ab Lounge on five easy pays of like $35.00 each once you add in the shipping and tax.

Anyway, I'm worrying now that I made a mistake. Maybe I should call and cancel and get the TurboJam at 30% OFF!!

I already have a treadmill that I just started using, so I was thinking that plus the Ab Lounge would be a good workout. The TurboJam would replace the treadmill several days a week, I guess.

Any thoughts or advice are very welcome!

Thanks

Now, it's just me, and who am I, BUT I really don't "buy" into those gimmicky items really. I would just use a workout ball. I LOVE mine! I have different sizes but you have to get one according to your height. they aren't expensive (as one of those ab-loungers!) and they can be used different way. I use it like an ab-lounger to balance on your back, this way you use different muscle groups too to help stabilize yourself, and do your crunches that way! You will use your lats and your back and your legs! Then, depending on your strength, pick up some weights or not, and you got another work out gimmick you can save money on, it's they butt and thigh blaster! From a squat position roll yourself upwards your back on the ball to full extension, then slowly roll back down. You can do "fly's" with your free weights with your shoulders and head on the ball, balancing your weight again and strengthening your back and legs while working out your arms too! I'd just get a excercise ball!  I love mine for the full body work out, and it's fun to just bounce on it while watching TV and that's a workout again!

I agree with mantrobs. The exercise ball is really good and it only costs about 20 bucks. It's one of the best toning exercises because it not only works your abs, but it works your back and legs because you constantly have to be stable on the ball.

You can also lie on the bal and do exercises for your arms, etc. I would go with the ball any day becaue my stepdad bought bought a ton of abs machines and non of it works like the ball..

The exercise ball is the best fitness purchase I ever made. It's the only piece of exercise equipment (besides my bike) that I consistently use over and over through the years. At $30, quite a good investment!

When you're tempted by those "five easy payments" type offers, just do the math. When you add up the total cost, would you really pay like, $175 for the thing? Cause that's what it'll cost at $35 per payment. Seems like a lot, to me.

Ab lounge is wimpy, not worth the money, try the exercise ball as mentioned above, or the good old fashioned floor.

I was just thinking about getting an ab lounger. I have trouble doing crunches because I use my neck muscles too much. I have an exercise ball but cannot seem to balance on the thing. Call my clutsey. Any thoughts on how I can get my abs to do the work and not my neck? Any thoughts on the lack of balance on the ball?

Thanks

I hear what you all are saying and I wish I had asked FIRST!! I couldn't cancel my order ... all I could do would be to send it back and that would be approx. $30.00!! My two brothers are physical therapists and I asked them (after the fact) what they thought and surprisingly they both like it for someone like me. Meaning, I have lower back problems and am really out of shape. I also have really tight hips and they feel that the extension I'll get while being supported will be an asset.

So, while ultimately I wish I hadn't "dialed in", at least they didn't laugh in my face!! I'll let you all know when I receive it how it works.

Hay! I found a link for how to do proper ab crunches! I also found that people feel very strongly about proper ways to do them! I feel I do them correctly by keeping my head in line with my spine, while others tell you to ?roll yourself up? and completely have their necks bent with their chins on their chests! I don?t agree with that! I think that puts a lot of strain on the neck! You only have to lift up slightly with your back flat and firm on the floor, BREATH OUT too so you don?t engage other muscles and form a pot belly (not the look we?re going for? and it protects your back too by doing that.)  Just lift what you can! You are still engaging the same muscles and still getting a work out of your abs!

I hope that helps.

Oh yeah, and as for balancing on the ball... that's where the extra work out comes in! And it adds to the fun! One day you will be able to balance on it and you will celebrate how much better you are becoming! Don't be afraid of it! Challange yourself!!!

nancy that's the best thing about the exercise ball. You learn to be very stable ( that is your body) and after a while you can do almost any exercies that focuses on stability.

For example I found these great exercises on Self Magazine that focuses on toning your body, but you have to have stability. It is very difficult the first time but once you get the hang of it, you feel great.

http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/slidesho ws/2006/05/22/0523burn60_sl?printable=true

thank you all so much for those exercises and advice about ab lounge......I already have an exercise ball, and I should get busy and put it to work!  Thanks for the motivation!

Hi !

QVC is selling abloungers again for the daily new year special.

Did you like yours?  Do you think it would be worth purchasing? I am very out of shape and have lower back issues.

thanks for your input.

marcar.

Happy New Year

Hoping4Love, I think that the ablounge, etc. are all fine, but you can get just as good of a workout with something that costs a lot less. I'm sure your brothers are right that it will work just fine for you. If you have $100+ to spend on some gimmicky item, by all means, have at it. But you are DEFINATELY able to get the same results from a workout ball or just your standard crunch. In fact, I have a whole book of ab workouts that you don't need a single bit of equipment for.

Well...i have the ab lounge...and my clothes that lay over it seem to be enjoying it..lol! Actually, when you use it consistantly..it really works. I got it because i have a scar on my stomach right across my stomach where my "6 pack" should start and doing crunches on the floor cause me pain becuase of the scar but the ab lounge doesnt. Its easy to use and i saw results in less than 3 weeks. I did it everyday for about 10 mins. I did 50 reps and a breakdown..and you can do it while you watch TV. It worked for me and it probably would have given me great results had i stuck with it..but i vow to start back today. So good luck with it.

Billy Blanks Ab Bootcamp dvd offers a lot of ab exercises that don't require neck strain - you do them standing up rather than laying down.

Anything you do with abs (floor, ball, lounger) will get you results as long as you are consistent. Just depends on how much $$ you're willing to spend.

What about the Ab-Doer?  (The one on TV that you sit down and do the exercises.)  Does anyone have one?  Does it work?