How to Use an Ab Wheel

A chiseled, to-die-for body featuring washboard abs that one and all crave for is a feat not managed by all. Fortunate few have the grit to grind their bodies to perfection. Carving out mannequin abs could be a dream that many of us gloat on, but few of us achieve it. In achieving the long cherished dream, an ab wheel serves to complete your fairytale idea. So, what is an ab wheel, after all? An ab wheel is a small workout equipment, that activates or exercises all your muscles making your ab muscles strong and firm. The ab wheel is good for men and women. However, women appreciate using the ab wheel more than men due to it being compact, portable, and easy to execute. The ab wheel is an equipment that works to scrape out the cheese flab that envelopes the trunk region. A special mention for the arm flab, which may be amended by the exercise. Ab wheel promises to give you easy to carry out exercise sessions. At the end of every session, you are bound to feel energized with your core strength reflecting well with each workout.

Ab Roller Exercise

We may begin with an elementary position of using the ab wheel and conducting the exercise. After you are comfortable with this form, you may use an advanced form of ab toning exercise to strengthen your core muscles.

Exercise #1

1. The first step is to place yourself on the mat. Position yourself knees bent and kneeling on a mat or a carpet. Have your shoulders aligned and erect and position the glutes in a way that it touches the feet heels. Do not droop or slouch.
2. The next step is to hold the ab roller. With one hand on each handle, hold the ab wheel tightly.
3. Place the ab wheel on the mat, with your shoulders bending slightly and elbows protruding.
4. Hold the position. However make sure that your back is maintained straight, do not slouch, just bend forward.
5. Recheck your position. Maintain your knees; they being align and side by side.
6. Now, gradually with a measured pace, move forward, with the ab wheel sliding forward and leading you along. For the first time, make the movement slow and steady.
7. Continue moving forward with the ab wheel until you reach a point where you are totally stretched on the carpet or mat. You will feel the ab muscles being stretched and exerting pressure.
8. Now get back to the start position by reversing the direction of the ab wheel. Pull the ab wheel without bending your back or slouching. This exercise would serve no purpose if you arch your back.
9. To complete one set, continue this exercise for 12 repetitions. As you get comfortable with the repetitions, make an attempt to increase the number, but be gradual with your approach.

Exercise #2

1. This is called the Jackknife exercise. This is a slightly tougher form of exercise routine. However, once you get accustomed with the first form, this one may not prove too difficult.
2. Position yourself 3 to 4 feet away from a wall. Keep your shoulders erect and hold the ab wheel from its handles.
3. Maintain a manageable distance between your feet.
4. Now roll the ab wheel forward. When you extend yourself with the ab wheel, you will soon reach the wall which serve to be the limit where you have to stop.
5. Stay the way you are, in the same position for a few seconds and then reverse the direction by pulling yourself with the roller along. Increase the number of repetitions gradually. Ideally, you must aim to complete 8 to 10 repetitions for a start. However, if you are not comfortable with the number you may modify it as per your preference.

Make sure that you use the ab roller in the correct way. If you suffer from neck troubles or lower back trauma, do not attempt to use the ab wheel. Also, ensure your back is erect and your posture is maintained throughout the exercise. If you slouch or bend too much, you are not performing the exercise correctly, and thus you may not prove entitled for reaping the benefits that the judicious use of ab wheel has on offer.