With all the ab machines on the market, how are you supposed to know which ones REALLY work?

Getting rock hard, defined abs isn't a problem with the right ab machine. First, though, you have to cut through the noise and get past the lousy late night infomercial equipment that looks like it was made with bubble gum and duck tape.

You don't need hype, if you really want to get that six pack or a tight midsection. No, you need real equipment that gets results and lasts for years to come.

Why most ab machines become nothing more than a clothes rack after a week...

When you buy ab machines based on great commercials, you can pretty much guess that the equipment is all hype and no results. Instead, there's two key things you have to think of when you evaluate a purchase:

• Will the machine grow with you? - Or, will your machine quickly out live it's usefulness.
• Will the machine really work your abs? - Not just your upper abs, or your lower abs, but your whole ab musculature.

Look, there's not point in throwing money away on equipment. You worked hard for your money, don't get duped because the equipment looks fun on TV. Get equipment that will last with you a lifetime and seriously work your midsection.

A bid mistake many people make is that they don't consider what happens 6 months down the road when they've gotten stronger...Well, I can tell you, if you can't add resistance to your equipment once you've gotten stronger, your ab workouts will suffer.

There's nothing worse for your workout than going through the motions without challenging your muscle. And, NO, in you won't get huge abs by adding resistance. Bodybuilders try for years to get that muscular ab look, and most never achieve it. It takes genetics, a lot of hard work, and steroids. Most people will only get defined chiseled abs by adding additional resistance to their workout.

Also, beware, some ab machines are one hit wonders - That's to say, they only work one or two muscles. But, you've got several muscles to consider, if you want the real deal. You have lower abs, upper abs, and those muscles around your love handles (called the obliques). You want to be sure that any piece of equipment lets you effectively work all your major muscles.

To help you make a comparison of all the different types of equipment, I've presented REAL ab machines...High quality, high result stuff that I know works. Not flimsy late night infomercial garbage pushed by some "has been" celebrity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Common Ab Equipment

	AB Crunchers: Good overall machines. Can be used to target upper abs, lower abs and obliques very well. Many of these machines will continue to grow with you. You can add weight and continue to see results for years to come. Save time by working both the upper and lower abs at the same time...or even independently. The downside, they tend to require more space.
	Ab Benches - Simple versatile piece of equipment. Very  cost effective and allows you to adjust the angle for added intensity. You can also use it as a bench to allow for many other exercises. Many models can be easily stored. Disadvantage: It's harder to add resistance and usually requires external weight held across the chest.
	Ab Back Machines - Provides a wide variety of exercises to work your complete core. Work both your abs and your lower back. Great for athletes. And it's like having two machines in one foot print, so it saves on space. You can also add weight to many varieties of equipment enabling progressive, lifetime workouts