Before we delve into the best machines at the gym for abs, you need to know that these machines have different purposes, either they (1) burn your belly fat or (2) help strengthen your core.
If you are in a hurry to see the best machines to help burn fat and strengthen your core, see the products in the table below.
Getting a flat stomach or six-pack abs depends on your body fat level.
If your tummy is covered with fat, your abdominal muscle groups under it will not be visible.
In this case, you need to focus on burning the fat first.
Implementing a healthy diet and performing workouts help you burn calories effectively. You can also use the best gym machines for abs to help you train your core.
Furthermore, training your core is essential for two reasons:
1. To Get a Strong Midsection
A strong midsection is vital to your body, as it allows you to perform workouts safely.
The midsection also connects your lower and upper body. Once it has weak muscles, you won’t get results with your performance.
Take note that a weaker midsection leads to workout injuries and accidents.
2. To Build Muscle Mass and Strength
Ab workouts help build muscle mass and strength.
Working out your biceps to get them bigger does the same with your core and abs.
Most of us have more or less belly fat. For this reason, you may need to use both gym machines to boost your core and burn belly fat.
So, here are the best machines at the gym for abs you can try to develop mass and strength.
Contents
Best Machines at the Gym for Abs to Burn Belly Fats ?
It’s undeniable that physically-demanding activities require your entire body to move, making you burn calories.
Likewise, keeping your core and muscle groups engaged needs more energy; you are burning calories still.
With this in mind, one type of exercise does not necessarily mean you are burning fats.
You may need complicated movements to work all your muscles and benefit from them physically.
The more movements involved, the better.
For instance, walking on a treadmill while clinging to the support handles only gives you minimal benefit.
To maximize the results, implement additional workouts that require different body movements.
The best way to use these cardio machines is high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
It is a cardio strategy when you alternate short periods of intense aerobic exercise with not-so-fierce recovery periods.
This method has proved to be among the most effective ways of exercising to burn as many calories as possible in a short amount of time.
The number of calories you can burn depends mainly on the following factors:
- Intensity
- Weight
- Time spent
- Heart rate
- Age
Besides, some cardio machines show you the number of calories burned. However, they are not always accurate.
I recommend using the following gym equipment as the best cardio machine for weight loss.
1. Rowing Machines
The rowing movement is a complex activity that works your lower and upper body.
Why? As you push yourself with your legs, you pull the handle with your back and arms.
Your core works simultaneously to support your motion while keeping your posture and position.
You may ask, “how many calories can you burn with a rowing machine?”
An average trainee can burn between 700-1100 per hour, but the results depend on the aforementioned factors.
See the current best-selling rowing machine on Amazon below.
2. Treadmill Machines
Running may be the simplest form of exercise, but it does a lot to your body. It is one of the most beneficial cardio exercises that lower your body-fat level.
Treadmill machines provide you with great support in increasing the effectiveness of your workout.
You can choose from in-built programs made by fitness experts or change the incline level to feel as if you were running uphill.
Therefore, you can modify the training to fits your needs thanks to these customizable functions.
However, treadmill machines cannot replace the full benefits of running outdoor (fresher air and environment). Yet, it provides the convenience you need at your home.
If you cannot afford it, do it outdoor instead.
Considering the factors above, how many calories can you burn on a treadmill?
You can burn about 500-1200 calories per hour but keep the factors in mind again.
See our top recommended treadmills on Amazon below.
3. Stair Climbers (One of the Best Gym Machines for Abs)
Have you ever climbed stairs for 5 minutes continuously? It is a tough activity.
The stair climber imitates the same impact on your body, giving a full-body workout.
This machine requires good endurance when using it for extended periods, but it is not recommended for people who have knee or hip problems.
See our top recommended best-selling stair climbers on Amazon below.
Best Gym Machines to Strengthen Core ?
There are lots of gym machines circulating online. Some ab machines are weird and useless, as they don’t fully provide the support you need in increasing your core’s strength.
Note that you should be careful when choosing gym machines for core strengthening.
Why?
They put your body in such a state that it is not natural. Yes, you may be targeting a particular muscle group, but you don’t know if your body can handle it.
The result? Accidents, imbalances, and injuries.
Another problem with some ab machines is that they have a lot of control over your movement.
The purpose of the core muscles is to have a connection between your lower and upper body. Almost all of your core muscles are engaged while performing compound moves.
For example, when doing a lower back squat, your abs and obliques are engaged to keep the balance and the proper form.
However, if you sit on this machine, it controls the movement so much that it focuses only on one muscle group of the core and neglects the others.
Further, the best workouts require your core to control the motion (not by the machine). Of course, you can focus on one particular area, but with the help of other core muscles.
You can learn more about ab machines here.
The best gym machines that increase your core’s strength are listed below based on the criteria above.
We recommended our best products within each section.
1. Pull-Up Station & Vertical Knee Raise Station (VKR)
Hanging leg and knee raises are excellent moves to strengthen your entire midsection. They work your rectus abdominis (six-pack abdominal muscles), targeting the lower abs effectively.
In this machine, your obliques work simultaneously and protect your lower back from swinging backward.
The VKR station below (also called Captain’s Chair or Power Tower) is a great alternative for newbies.
Thanks to the elbow pads and backrest that keep your body in posture, the equipment is easier and smoother to control.
See below our top three recommended power towers.
Alternatively, pull-up stations will require your body to use its core strength since control is needed.
Thus, pull-up stations are best for advanced trainers.
Check out our top three recommended pull-up machines below.
Additionally, various leg-lift variations target the right muscles, making them suitable for beginners and advanced athletes.
For example, the windscreen wiper is an excellent workout for your obliques. More about leg raise machine benefits here.
You can learn some leg raise variations from the following video.
2. Sit-Up Bench
Sit-ups are excellent core exercises that improve your abdominal muscle strength and size.
With a sit-up bench, you can add extra resistance that suits your fitness needs.
In case you didn’t know, most boxers and MMA fighters use sit-up benches to work out their abs.
Also, there are several exercises you can do with this ab machine, such as the inclined Russian twist for obliques or crunches for the upper abs.
Alternatively, you can choose a level that isn’t too tough for your lower back.
You can check this video on doing sit-ups on the incline bench correctly.
3. The Roman Chair
You can never go wrong with the Roman chair (also known as hyperextension bench) if you want to target and strengthen your lower back.
This machine is ideal for newbies or pro trainers who suffer from lower back pains.
However, back extensions can be dangerous if your movements are performed incorrectly.
Some athletes use this machine for abs training (i.e., sit-ups), but I do not recommend it because it could be dangerous.
There are better core workout machines for that purpose.
4. Cable Machines
The cable crossover machines provide a lot of ways to have weighted abdominal exercises. You can even tweak the resistance and adjust the level to target your fitness needs efficiently.
The cable machine doesn’t completely control your movements and provides resistance for development.
There are a lot of cable exercises you can do to target every part of your midsection.
Bonus: Ab Wheel, Stability Ball, and No Equipment At All ?
These are not your typical gym machines, but they work very well.
Ab Wheels
The ab wheel is my favorite, as it helps me build an incredibly strong core.
While rolling in and out, you’ll notice your core works hard and keeps your body stable.
However, newbies may find ab wheel workouts difficult.
Here is a list of our top three recommended ab rollers. They are good quality products and highly affordable.
Also, see this tutorial for ab rollout progression.
Stability Balls
Fitness or stability balls are also great to strengthen your midsection.
Your core has to work hard to keep your body balanced as it is unstable.
Stability balls are also very affordable. See our top three recommended balls below.
You can also learn many stability ball abs exercises here.
Your Body Weight
Finally, use your body weight as resistance.
Exercises like plank, bicycle, Russian twist, etc., do not require any equipment, but they still work.
With these exercises, you don’t need many pieces of equipment to flatten your stomach or even build a six-pack.
Final Thoughts ?
These are the best machines at the gym for abs to lose belly fat and build a stronger core.
Avoid spending your money and time on useless gym machines that aren’t effective in engaging your muscles.
Use one for burning stomach fat and one or more to strengthen every piece of your core.
I hope you enjoyed this, don’t forget to share.
Last update on 2023-11-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API