Abs Lounge - Do The Different Versions Like Ab Lounge XL Really Work?

Most of time, we view exercise machines as akin to torture devices because of the aches and pains after using them.  Now, if you see the Abs Lounge, maybe you will change your perception for the better.

And why ever not?  The Ab Lounge, which comes in many versions like the Ab Lounge XL, Sport and Ultra, looks like a lounge chair.  Yes, the one you use to spend a lazy afternoon in front of the pool although this one is complete with a footrest.

Then again, it is not designed as a lounge chair, thus, you must keep children away from it lest they come into harm.  Teens, however, can use the machine just as long they have been instructed on its proper usage especially when it comes to overextending on the movements.

So, how does one use the Abs Lounge?  Well, you lie down on the flexible workout bench, grasp the handlebars and then perform jackknife crunch movements.  It is as easy as that although it must be emphasized that proper use is still recommended to avoid muscle injuries.

Supposedly, jackknife crunches are better than the traditional crunches because of the wider range of movements for the former.  You may indeed feel more burn in the abdominal area but it is not so significant as to conclusively say that the jackknife crunches provided by the Ab Lounge is better than those of other machines.  Indeed, if you perform as many crunches as humanly possible, you will feel the burn.

And then there is the touted neck and support provided by the Abs Lounge.  True, these parts of your body are amply protected from strain and stress but the material from which the seat is made of may not be sufficiently strong to withstand months of use.

Keep in mind that the seat is made of flexible substances that can rip and sag especially under the weight of an obese person.  Well, there is always the Ab Lounge XL for them but the rest of the models have significant limitations as to weight.

Plus, the padding on the lounger itself is not too comfortable.  You may even feel that it is biting into your back, which can really bother the heck out of your exercise program.  The steel frame looks fine but not when you imagine many people using the machine or an overweight person sitting down on it.

But the measure of an ab machine is its efficacy in toning the abdominal muscles.  On this aspect, the Abs Lounge appears to fall short of expectations for many reasons.  For one thing, even with the DVD workout, you will feel shortchanged because of the lack of variety in the movements.

For another thing, the wide range of movement that the makers boast about may not be as good for abdominal training as they expected.  Remember that hyper-extensions in either the backwards or forwards direction do not do the core muscles any good.

So, should you buy the Abs Lounge?  Well, it depends.  If you are not overweight and your tummy just needs a little bit more work, then yes.  But if you want to invest in other more effective equipment like dumbbells, the answer is most probably no.