These days just about every American has heard it before: in our society, people are fatter than ever before. And there is a reason why magazine covers that suggest new ways to trim the abdominal region sell better than others, many people are seeing this national weight gain right in their own midsections. Dumbbells and life fitness equipment are a great start but there are a few tried and true exercises that will help anyone shape up their abs. Thirty minutes a day on a life fitness elliptical will put any dieter on the right track, and after adding a bit of abdominal work, a dieter will be fit in no time at all.

So many Americans work at desks all day that their abdominal muscles see no action at all. Others do not watch their diet, and do not notice before it is too late where all the fast food and beers have gone, straight to their tubby midsections. In order to lose weight, a dieter has to consider how many calories are being consumed each day. No one will lose any weight unless the number of calories being burned each day is greater than the number of calories being consumed on that same day. Exercise machines will help users determine how many calories they are burning during their aerobic exercise, and nutrition information on packages will help dieters add up the calories they are consuming each day. There is no other way to lose weight without carefully monitoring food intake and burning the proper amount of calories, excess weight is not going anywhere.

Many people believe that just doing a few sit-ups will help them achieve their goals of having a flat stomach. Unfortunately, this would not help. Weight must be lost through a balanced diet and an exercise regimen. What abdominal exercises do is tone the muscles of the midsection. With a stronger midsection, the new muscle tissue will help your body burn more fat in the area. Unfortunately, there is no way to choose where your body will begin losing weight, the only thing a dieter can do is monitor the calories going both in and out and wait to see the results.

To get started working on the abdominal muscles, equipment is not necessary, but it is available for those who need the extra back and neck support. The Ab Roller, Roman Chair and exercise ball are all popular choices.

The most effective maneuver requires nothing more than a floor you can rest your back on. To effectively tone the abs, there is no better manner than the bicycle maneuver. Most people have done this at some point – one simply lies with their lower back pressed into the floor or mat, places their hands behind their head and then slowly raises one knee toward the opposite elbow, twisting the upper body as the elbow is raised to meet the knee. The movement is repeated on the other side, alternating sides. Done correctly, the exercise will make itself felt in the abs and sides. Crunches and leg raises are also highly- effective.

Author Bio: Penny Lane recently purchased a Life Fitness elliptical machine for her home gym. She ordered Life Fitness equipment to donate to the high school gym.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: life fitness elliptical,life fitness equipment,dumbbells