Our Obsession with Abs – Ab Rocker

January 31, 2009 -- Ironically, as a population, we are more obese and overweight than ever before, but given the number of recent infomercials, have an obsession with abs.

Decades ago, a plump figure was actually deemed to be attractive. It meant you were eating well and implied that you had attained a certain level of wealth. The skinny people were the underfed poor people.

But in our modern era, both men and women , regardless of socioeconomic class, desire a more slender waist line. Moreover, not just slender, but washboard, even for the women.

The abdominals do not need to be particularly large to be attractive. In fact, it is the pronounced definition that is so visually appealing and deemed to be sexy.

Probably the great news is that at abdominals are just one set of muscles, and not the entire body. Consequently, you only need to devote perhaps 10 minutes a session 3 times a week to develop this part of your body.

Author and trainer Jaime Brenkus was one of the pioneers in developing an ab specific workout with the popular release of "8 Minute Abs" back in 1995, and it remains popular to this very day. One can workout privately at home and be motivated to stay with the program.

The Ab Rocker is a very popular device as seen on TV and with hits on Google. But do you really need to spend money on this device? Actually back in 2001, FitCommerce.com published the results of the American Council on Exercise (ACE) tests on the top ab exercises, with and without special equipment.

In that particular study, the Ab Rocker actually came in last. The bicycle maneuver actually came in second suggesting that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get results. Just do something.

How to Do the Bicycle Maneuver

As for the bicycle maneuver, no special equipment is needed. Just lay on the floor on your back, press your lower back to the floor. Place your hands beside your head, bring your knees to 45-degree angle (halfway between straight up toward the ceiling and level with the floor) and begin a pedal motion by touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating each side.

The bicycle maneuver (above) is an ideal way to get great abs, and you don't have to invest in anything but your time and energy.

Obviously start of with a few reps and build up your stamina.

You Will Most Likely have to Diet to Get the Look

You can do all the ab exercises in the world, and you will indeed have developed the muscle. But, if you are carrying spare tire around, nobody is going to see it. It's there, but it's covered by that body fat. So the two go hand in hand to give that attractive waistline.

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