AbKingPro v TotalCore v AbCircle - any good or all rubbish?

[lastexile69]

Now bearin mind this is for a complete blob - I can't do regular crunches on the floor mat as my gut gets in the way and I just end up straining my neck

Each of these gadgets I've seen on TV seems to simplify the process for a grossly unfit person such as myself (particularly the Total Core thing as it lifts your back up as part of the motion).

Has anyone here used any of these three gadgets? Or are they just gimmick tech devices that overweight peeps just latch onto as a cure-all?

Cheers

[Team 17]

lastexile69 said:

Now bearin mind this is for a complete blob - I can't do regular crunches on the floor mat as my gut gets in the way and I just end up straining my neck

Each of these gadgets I've seen on TV seems to simplify the process for a grossly unfit person such as myself (particularly the Total Core thing as it lifts your back up as part of the motion).

Has anyone here used any of these three gadgets? Or are they just gimmick tech devices that overweight peeps just latch onto as a cure-all?

Cheers

Pretty much a waste of time.

What are hoping to achieve from the exercise? My guess is you're lloking to lose weight (I know, I'm a genius), so why not go outside for a walk/run/bike ride and do it regularly.

That's where I would start. On the other hand if you get the gadget(s), I predict they will end up gathering dust.

[Smashed]

Team 17 said:

lastexile69 said:

Now bearin mind this is for a complete blob - I can't do regular crunches on the floor mat as my gut gets in the way and I just end up straining my neck

Each of these gadgets I've seen on TV seems to simplify the process for a grossly unfit person such as myself (particularly the Total Core thing as it lifts your back up as part of the motion).

Has anyone here used any of these three gadgets? Or are they just gimmick tech devices that overweight peeps just latch onto as a cure-all?

Cheers

Pretty much a waste of time.

What are hoping to achieve from the exercise? My guess is you're lloking to lose weight (I know, I'm a genius), so why not go outside for a walk/run/bike ride and do it regularly.

That's where I would start. On the other hand if you get the gadget(s), I predict they will end up gathering dust.

What he said. If you're trying to lose your gut you won't do it by simply doing crunches however if it is your abs you are trying to strengthen then you could try hanging from a chin up bar and doing leg raises, just lift your knees up to your chest, this may or may not be easier for you just try it out.

[lastexile69]

I have got myself a bike and have just started gentle rides around avoiding the snow and slush down here so yes it's to assist in general fitness and weight loss in combination with a more moderate diet. I just thought in combination with that, working on my core muscles would certainly help.

Edited by lastexile69 on Friday 10th December 13:06

[goldblum]

Gimmicks.If you're too big to do crunches right now then diet until you can.

Try leg raises with legs bent at the knees.Lying on your back on the floor,keeping your back flat.

[Sticks.]

lastexile69 said:

I have got myself a bike and have just started gentle rides around avoiding the snow and slush down here so yes it's to assist in general fitness and weight loss in combination with a more moderate diet. I just thought in combination with that, working on my core muscles would certainly help.

Edited by lastexile69 on Friday 10th December 13:06

Well done mate. Some years back lost 3st without going near a gym or doing crunches etc. Just a fair bit of brisk walking as part of my daily commute and moderating the input.

Perhaps you could add a few core exercises which will improve your posture, gait, and help minimise the risk of putting your back out.

[ShadownINja]

Working the core will help with your posture but it won't really shift weight or make any noticeable difference to anything you're looking for until you're trim. Well, if you did 10,000 crunches a day, that'd certainly burn fat but there are far more efficient and fun ways of burning fat.

With this crap weather, you're better off getting an exercise bike and sitting in front of the TV pedalling away. I like to read while pedalling. Sure, you're going to burn slightly less weight than focusing on the exercise (according to a recentish investigation) but the alternative is I sit in front of my computer and do no pedalling...

[mcelliott]

If you are fat, why on earth are you doing crunches anyway? You will not reduce fat levels by doing crunches, no matter how many. Two things for you.....diet and exercise. If you can't stick sensibly to those two things, you will remain fat. Harsh, but true.

[Fatman2]

mcelliott said:

If you are fat, why on earth are you doing crunches anyway? You will not reduce fat levels by doing crunches, no matter how many. Two things for you.....diet and exercise. If you can't stick sensibly to those two things, you will remain fat. Harsh, but true.

Sadly it's what these ads portray and try to hoodwink the general public with. No offence to the OP but it seems to have almost worked.

I've seen so many 6 minute ab type adverts that all show the before and after shots. I'm not sure how they get away with it but they all imply that doing these ab exercises will give you some sort of six pack.

OP, as already mentioned do loads more cardio, eat healthily (and a reduced amount) and only get into some ab exercises once you've lost the bodyfat.

[cheadle hulme]

My missus thinks you can reduce the size of your belly with crunches. The marketing works on a lot of people.

[BigAlinEmbra]

cheadle hulme said:

My missus thinks you can reduce the size of your belly with crunches. The marketing works on a lot of people.

To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.

IMO don't bother focussing on just the gut, as if you don't balance the exercise out then you'll just do yourself a mischief and end up getting even less exercise and a bigger gut.

I'd second the suggestion of cycling in front of the box. If it's a struggle start off with half a short program from the start to the ad break, and then work yourself up to half a match of sport.

If you want to work on the core then lie on your back with your legs raised as long as you can bear it.
And get in the press-up position (even if you can't do press-ups yet), and see how long you can hold that.

[goldblum]

BigAlinEmbra said:

cheadle hulme said:

My missus thinks you can reduce the size of your belly with crunches. The marketing works on a lot of people.

To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.

IMO don't bother focussing on just the gut, as if you don't balance the exercise out then you'll just do yourself a mischief and end up getting even less exercise and a bigger gut.

I'd second the suggestion of cycling in front of the box. If it's a struggle start off with half a short program from the start to the ad break, and then work yourself up to half a match of sport.

If you want to work on the core then lie on your back with your legs raised as long as you can bear it.
And get in the press-up position (even if you can't do press-ups yet), and see how long you can hold that.

'To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.'

No,it won't.

You'll go blue in the face and pass out because you've held your breath for too long!

[BigAlinEmbra]

goldblum said:

BigAlinEmbra said:

cheadle hulme said:

My missus thinks you can reduce the size of your belly with crunches. The marketing works on a lot of people.

To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.

IMO don't bother focussing on just the gut, as if you don't balance the exercise out then you'll just do yourself a mischief and end up getting even less exercise and a bigger gut.

I'd second the suggestion of cycling in front of the box. If it's a struggle start off with half a short program from the start to the ad break, and then work yourself up to half a match of sport.

If you want to work on the core then lie on your back with your legs raised as long as you can bear it.
And get in the press-up position (even if you can't do press-ups yet), and see how long you can hold that.

'To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.'

No,it won't.

You'll go blue in the face and pass out because you've held your breath for too long!

WTF are you on about? Do you think someone's gut sagging out makes them look slimmer?
If your posture is more upright then you'll look less of a slob, but that would require the muscles being there to hold it all upright.

I'm not talking about holding the gut in, I'm just talking about having some strength to stop the weight of the belly holding it hanging out there.

[goldblum]

BigAlinEmbra said:

goldblum said:

BigAlinEmbra said:

cheadle hulme said:

My missus thinks you can reduce the size of your belly with crunches. The marketing works on a lot of people.

To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.

IMO don't bother focussing on just the gut, as if you don't balance the exercise out then you'll just do yourself a mischief and end up getting even less exercise and a bigger gut.

I'd second the suggestion of cycling in front of the box. If it's a struggle start off with half a short program from the start to the ad break, and then work yourself up to half a match of sport.

If you want to work on the core then lie on your back with your legs raised as long as you can bear it.
And get in the press-up position (even if you can't do press-ups yet), and see how long you can hold that.

'To be fair if you've got a stronger core then it'll stop the gut bulging out quite as much so you'll look slimmer.'

No,it won't.

You'll go blue in the face and pass out because you've held your breath for too long!

WTF are you on about? Do you think someone's gut sagging out makes them look slimmer?
If your posture is more upright then you'll look less of a slob, but that would require the muscles being there to hold it all upright.

I'm not talking about holding the gut in, I'm just talking about having some strength to stop the weight of the belly holding it hanging out there.

Whoa there slim,the exclamation mark at the end of my post denotes humour! see?

Core muscles don't work to keep your gut in,they work to stabilise your lower back,hips etc.

You could have fantastic core muscles and still have a belly like Jocky Wilson!

[Beardy10]

lastexile69 said:

Now bearin mind this is for a complete blob - I can't do regular crunches on the floor mat as my gut gets in the way and I just end up straining my neck

Doing core work won't help with the fat loss as such but it's very beneficial...you should do it as it'll help you correct what is probably a poor posture if you are very overweight. A poor posture with rounded shoulders can really inhibit you as you get older and be very painful.

If you're straining your neck you're doing something very wrong. Try tucking your chin in before you do the crunch...also if you touch the top of your mouth with your tongue it'll stop you straining our neck by de-powering the muscle at the front of your neck.

If you can afford it try and get yourself a session with a personal trainer to show you a few exercises.....you basically need to do things for your back and core obviously as well as cardio. You don't want to do chest work til you have strong back muscles otherwise you'll have even more rounded shoulders. A decent personal won't show you lots of exercises on machines....you should only need to use free weights, bench, swiss ball and a cable machine and they should be able to give you exercise which will have a cardio element whilst doing the strengthening work.

[lastexile69]

Thanks to all who have contributed. Perhaps I should clarify a bit - I am fully aware that doing crunches is not a weight loss exercise, and I am also aware that cardio based exercise and moderation of diet together is the only way to longer term weight loss and weight management.
What I was interested in in terms of core muscle exercises is to strengthen my back to aid in a slightly better posture (ie without the belly pulling forward). I tend to get quite a lot of back ache in my lower back and, after doing some reading on the interweb, I think that some (or perhaps all) of this could be alleviated with a better posture and without the belly weight pulling my shoulders forward.
To that end I was enquiring about these types of machines' effectiveness in core muscle development and strengthening to be used in tandem with more regular excercise and dieting, not as a weight loss tool in any way.

Thanks again for looking.

[Beardy10]

This video has got some examples of stuff you can do for your back/shoulders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgUsXA4JX0w&fea...

Something like the bent over row with a dumbell is great as you can really work your back and slowly correct your posture...I'd say you might want to do it in a more upright position first as that will be kinder on your back. It's going to take a long,long time to strengthen your back/posture but it's definitely worth it, it will alos make your back more flexible. Otherwise you might end up like my mother in law who is in her late 60'....her spine is not that curved but she can't lie flat on her back any more.

[emicen]

Forget about crunches. Theres far too much emphasis on them these days and its really driven by people wanting washboard stomachs.

Do moderate exercise to get your weight down then bring in exercises to start activating your core muscles to then be able to tone up.

If you're doing this gym free, try things like the plank, wood chopping with a moderate weight (3ltr squash bottle works) and swinging a heavy door about would work as well.

Alternatively, try reverse crunches. Stick something like a football between your legs so you have extra weight to stabalise and then get in to the position you would normally get in to for crunches, back flat on the deck, legs out with your knees raised. Try and keep your legs in the same shape bringing your knees up as high as you can towards your chest.

[goldblum]

Why do you think it's your stomach that's responsible for poor posture? Carrying a heavy weight in front should NOT effect your shoulders.

Back pain certainly so the first thing to do is diet.Then work on exercises such as plank,side plank etc.Diet is the most important factor.

When you have lost some weight you can then address any existing muscle imbalances.