Get the Best Abs With "Classic" Abs Equipment

We've all seen those seemingly endless infomercials, plugging the latest bit of expensive exercise equipment, but the best equipment for perfect abs has been around for a long time. While these modern contraptions might help you out a little bit, these oldies but goodies will get you better results every time. What are these great ab developers? There are three that I think are the best, and I'll tell you why in this article.

1) The Classic Chin-Up Bar

This is far and away the best piece of ab equipment out there. Nothing will work your abs harder than trying to do a few hanging leg raises. Just take a look at the abs on a gymnast. Nothing forces your abs to contract more strongly than a hanging leg raise. True, this is not the easiest exercise out there, which is why you won't see very many people try them. And if you try to do several sets - well, only a small number of people have the core strength for that. It makes little difference whether you perform the raises with legs bent or straight, you will achieve those chiseled abs. I've long been a fan of this technique, and the recent release "Convict Conditioning" has only affirmed what I've long felt to be true. Paul Wade, the author of "Convict Conditioning", points out that some of the best abs are found on those who are serving time in a penitentiary, and they rely heavily on the hanging leg raise.

2) The Good Old Ab Wheel

Poke around in any sporting good store and you can find an older ab wheel model for less than $15. The ab wheel is also great for developing your entire torso and not just the middle section. A stronger torso means your abs will be better able to protect your spine. If you really want to develop tightly packed abs, a regular routine of hanging leg raises and ab roll-outs will get you there.

3) The Padded Floor Mat

I gave serious thought to putting this at the top of the list. But since most carpets come with padding these days, you could probably get away with not having one. A good padded exercise mat, however, will make any floor exercises less harsh. You'll feel less sore if you use a floor mat for such exercises as a lying leg raise. Even planks won't ache so much. I make sure that I end every ab workout with one or two sets of planks. If I make the attempt without a mat, it can be excruciating.

Just Three Simple Pieces Will Give You a Better Ab Workout Then Any Infomercial Gadget

Even if you just have a chin-up bar, you'll see a great improvement. With a quick Google search, you'll be able to find several low cost models that can be easily installed in your home. In addition to your hanging leg raises, you can also use the bar to pull some chin-ups and shape your upper body as well. If you want to find the best abs equipment, skip the new junk and look to the classics.