Post: #1

There are numerous exercises one can do to work their abdominal muscles. One of them is using an ab wheel.

Have any of you been using one for any length of time? What are the results? How does it compare to other ab exercises? Any tips or suggestions?

I see boxers doing them, thus I figured that they are worth the effort.

Post: #2

Just start from standing. The knee start is akin to a knee drop pushup. A real ab wheel rep starts from standing, to fully outstretched on the floor, then back up. Practice a getting a little further outstretched every workout until you can get all the way stretched out, or as flat as possible. The above pic is not fully stretched out. I do them in sets of five when I am lifting.

Post: #3

(07-27-2014 05:31 PM)Vaun Wrote:  Just start from standing. The knee start is akin to a knee drop pushup. A real ab wheel rep starts from standing, to fully outstretched on the floor, then back up. Practice a getting a little further outstretched every workout until you can get all the way stretched out, or as flat as possible. The above pic is not fully stretched out. I do them in sets of five when I am lifting.

Interesting. I've never seen anyone do it from a standing position. It sounds like a bitch.

Does it put much stress on other body parts, such as the lower back or shoulders? I have to be careful with those areas.

Post: #4

(07-27-2014 05:35 PM)birdie num num Wrote:  Does it put much stress on other body parts, such as the lower back or shoulders? I have to be careful with those areas.

Yeah, thats kind of the point. It will only make you stronger. But you have to build up to it.

Post: #5

I use an ab wheel, but not standing. I do lots of reps, and I'm doing it to build core strength for XC skiing. It's for double poling, so I can pull harder and faster, and just doing a few reps doesn't help build the muscular endurance I'm looking for.

It only took me about a week to get to full extension kneeling, and I may work up to doing it from standing as my flexibility improves. As it is, I don't feel like I'm in control because I'm fighting tight muscles in my legs and hips.

There's no doubt standing is way more intense, but I don't think it's a waste of time to do them kneeling at all. Just depends on your goals and what your body can handle.

Post: #6

It's not a bad exercise. I personally feel that I get more benefit out of properly done hanging leg raises and variations of that exercise. I can get total body stability, flexion, extension and rotation all at the same time, only done in space. More benefits with the same amount of time spent.

Post: #7

Ab roller John Maulkin, at age 71:

Standing, 15 rolls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NV7kNjHV5o

Kneeling, 100 rolls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTF5rFM1cWk

Post: #8

They are fantastic.

At 6'5'' and ~260 lbs i cant see myself doing a standing rep though..