In order to end up with the abdominal bench best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of abdominal benches are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in an abdominal bench.
Research the market: Abdominal Bench essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the abdominal bench market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Construction: An abdominal bench can be bolted together or welded together. Bolted benches generally are less sturdy (unless you're buying commercial grade equipment) but some can be dismantled for storage elsewhere. Welded benches last longer but can't be dismantled.
Type: There are two broad types of abdominal benches: specialist and generalist. Specialist abdominal benches work your abdominals and nothing more. They're just long enough for you to rest your posterior and lower back. Generalist benches are essentially a regular bench with an abdominal attachment. Choose the type that's right for your goals.
Configuration: Benches can also come with a variety of different options. One option is an incline or decline. The greater the incline on a bench the harder the exercise will be. Before you buy an incline or decline bench ensure your abs are strong enough to handle the extra effort. Also, if you suffer from low blood pressure you may find that you get dizzy using a bench with an incline.
Another common feature is an additional weight attachment or a pulley that allows you to add resistance to your abdominal exercise rather than just using your own body weight. If you're just getting started, then your own body weight should be sufficient. If you do use additional weight be aware that your arms and shoulders can end up assisting you to move the weight which can reduce the effectiveness of the exercise on your abs.
The more features you add the more expensive the bench will be. Make sure the features you add relate directly to your primary fitness goal.
Padding: The parts of the bench that come in contact with your body will wear out the soonest. The padding should be made of dense foam. The covering needs to be durable and water-tight.
Weight Capacity: Higher-end abdominal benches hold more weight. Any bench you choose will have to hold the body weight of the heaviest user, plus any additional weight he or she uses.
Warranty: The warranty is a good indicator of bench quality. It can make a bench with a higher initial cost less expensive over its lifetime if it includes parts and service. Look elsewhere if the warranty is less than one year.
Cost: Sit-up benches come in three price tiers. The lowest price level will have the department store benches. They last (on average, with normal use) 1 to 5 years. The mid-priced benches house the high-end consumer benches. These tend to last 5 to10 years. Commercial-grade equipment is the most expensive, but lasts 20 to 30 years with constant use. Pick the price and quality level that is right for you.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a abdominal bench. For example, will you use the abdominal bench only for occasional exercises or will it be extensively utilized in your fitness program?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Will this be the only bench in your home gym? |
| | Will it need to accommodate a variety of other exercises? An ab bench is a very specialized piece of equipment. Are you sure it will meet all of your needs? You might consider a generic bench with an ab attachment (See Buying an Exercise Bench). |
| Why do you need an ab bench? |
| | Have you tried alternative floor exercises? Do you find them boring or too difficult to do? If you haven't tried them before, it may be worthwhile visiting an abdominal class at a nearby gym. Or try bracing your toes under a couch or having a friend who you train with hold your feet down. |
| Have you used an abdominal bench regularly in the past? |
| | If you have, what did you like or dislike about using it? Did you get the results you expected? If you haven't, it might also be a good idea to borrow a friend's bench and try it out. Or consider buying a short-term membership at a gym so you can use their equipment. You want to be absolutely sure that an abdominal bench will give you what you need. |
| Do you feel that using a sit-up bench makes ab exercises easier? |
| | A sit-up bench gives support at the feet and comfort from the pads which can make doing sit-ups seem easier. However, you should be aware that after your torso passes a 45 degree angle your abdominals switch off and your hip flexors take over the rest of the work. A full sit-up also offers you a rest point at the apex of the movement which combines to make the exercise feel easier. |
| What do you hope to get out of your bench? |
| | Are you looking to get that perfect washboard stomach? Sit-ups primarily work the upper abdominals which means you will need alternative exercises for your lower abs. The abdominals can be roughly divided into three areas; your upper abs, lower abs and obliques (the muscles to the sides of your upper abs). For a total abdominal work out, ensure that you can work all three areas. |
| Do you have weight to lose? |
| | Unfortunately abdominal exercises will not get rid of the fat around your stomach. Sit ups and other abdominal exercises purely work to build the muscles of the stomach. If you have weight to lose then diet and cardio exercise will be required to burn the fat off to reveal those lovely new ab muscles you build. |
| How often will you exercise your abs? |
| | If you exercise every day you may want to pay a bit extra for a more comfortable and durable bench. |
| Are sit-ups the best exercise for you? |
| | Do you have back or neck problems? Do you have soreness in your ankles or shins? Remember that you brace at your feet on most sit-up benches. |
| Do you have room for a sit-up bench in your exercise area? |
| | Measure the space you have and include room for getting on and off the bench. |
| What is your budget? |
| | The more attachments you buy or the closer to gym grade quality you get the higher the price. |
| How can you be sure you will use your sit-up bench? |
| | Do you think that having the bench in plain view will encourage you to use it? Has this tactic worked for you in the past? |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of abdominal benches and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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Buyz123.com Research Links:Ab Bench TypesBench with handles for lower ab work