Abdominal exercises do not exclusively have an aesthetic function. There are many reasons why this type of training is recommended and health is one of them. The abdominal benches, if used correctly, are a great help and enhance these benefits. We show you the main ones:
To prevent back pain
Exercise is the most effective treatment for cervical and lumbar pain, etc. If you don’t have a serious condition in your spine, your abs will make your back stronger.
To improve body posture
If your abs are strong, you will not only achieve a nice figure, but you will also improve your posture, keeping your body straight. When the abs are weak, they urge us to bend our back and shoulders forward, which can cause a lot of pain.
To combat constipation and pain in the belly
The abdominals are used to purify toxins and fats, as well as excess fluid in the body. In addition, they keep the stomach and intestines in shape. If we have the muscles of the abdomen toned, the intestine will do its work better and we will avoid constipation.
To lose weight and avoid flaccidity
Abdominal exercises help us combat flaccidity in different situations, such as after pregnancy, due to the weakening of tissues over time, or simply due to the lack of muscle tone.
To improve balance
Working the abdominals improve control of body balance, as these are the support of our trunk, and if they do not do that work, another part of the body will do it: the back.
Why should you exercise on an abdominal bench?
Doing sit-ups on the floor, with a mat, for example, has its advantages. These are the facts that possible damage to the back, neck or legs is minimized, and that the exercise concentrates more on the abdominal area.
The disadvantage is that, as it is a rigid and immobile medium, there is very little variety when it comes to choosing exercises. The reason why you should use an abdominal bench is that you have greater mobility. The bench can be tilted to perform the exercises in different planes and angles.
In a bench we can also adopt different postures in which the legs or the lower body intervene, which means greater versatility when training. Of course, it is essential to maintain proper posture and execute the exercises correctly.
What precautions should be taken with an abdominal bench?
The demand for the abdominals is quite intense. You have some type of injury in the back or in the lumbar area. It is not recommended that you choose this type of exercise. It can aggravate that condition. You should also watch your breath while doing routines. Exhale as you lift your body and inhale as you lower so you stay well oxygenated.
Abdominal benches are training machines that allow you to exercise, especially, but not exclusively, your abdominal muscles. The most traditional models consist of a metal frame with a straight board where the back lies. By adopting different postures on this table, you can perform many exercises to strengthen your abs.