Question: Which machine is best for great abs?
Without a doubt, the “Ab machines” are some of the most popular in our club. Recently though, new evidence has emerged that not only are these machines less effective in getting a flat stomach, some are potentially dangerous.
One of these machines is the CYBEX Rotary Torso machine. It’s the one where you sit on a seat with your chest fixed to a pad while swinging your hips from one side to the other against the resistance of a weight stack.
The problem with this exercise is the source of the rotation the machine uses.
Since your chest is forced to stay firm against the pad, only a very small part of the torso (the lower lumbar area) is allowed to rotate. Unfortunately, this area of your body is only designed to create a very small amount of rotation. The result is a very high risk of low back injuries.
Because of this, when the Rotary Torso machine needed repair recently, we decide to remove it entirely.
The good news is there are far better ways to work the obliques that cause no stress on the low back and use many muscles at once.
More muscles being used means more calories being burned and better results! Try these out, and feel free to ask us for more!
As you'll see by the last exercise, sometimes the best machine is no machine, but rather, your own body!
Want to know more? Ask anyone with a "Staff" shirt, or email us.
Standing Antirotation Hold
Stand beside a cable handle that is waist high.
Grab handle with hand opposite cable and bring to the center of your body.
Hold for about 20 seconds, opposing the pull of the weight.
Repeat on other side.
Tall Kneeling Antirotation Hold
Kneel beside a cable handle that is about waist high.
Grab handle with hand opposite cable and bring to the center of your body.
Hold for about 20 seconds, opposing the pull of the weight
Repeat on other side
Kneeling Antirotation Press
 
Kneel beside a cable handle that is about waist high.
Grab handle with hand opposite cable and bring to the center of your body.
Straighten your arms, opposing the pull of the weight. Do this 10 times.
Repeat on other side.
Alternating Single arm Plank
 
Get into a push up position with a wide stance with your feet.
WITHOUT moving the torso, alternately lift one arm and touch your hip.
Repeat with your other arm.
Continue until you are no longer able to prevent movement in your torso.
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