So you prefer holding your workouts amongst iron and steel, do you? Then you probably already know there’s no need to worry about becoming too bulky by bringing weights into your ab routine. “The abdominal muscles aren’t designed for size; they are designed for function,” says Fred McDaniel, master trainer and co-founder of the Human Performance Center in Santa Fe, N.M. That means no matter how hard you try, your stomach muscles may get stronger, tighter and firmer, but using weights will never inflate them.
Weights, especially cables, let you work your muscles through a variety of angles by lessening your reliance on whichever single angle gravity allows you. Sticking with the same body-resistance exercises, such as crunches and knee raises, can be counterproductive, especially as you get in better shape. “The leaner you become, the less resistance your muscles get from your decreasing body weight, leaving you with less results in the long run,” says McDaniel. Adding weights can prevent this from happening, so your midsection won’t suffer from your sleeker appearance.
As for injuries, “the risks involved using weighted abdominal movements are no different than those that come into play using weights for any other muscle group,” says McDaniel. “Going slow, maintaining proper form, and always choosing a weight your muscles can handle are the smartest way to lower your odds and improve your results.”
You’ll need a few pieces of equipment (a high-cable pulley, a chin-up bar and a light dumbbell), but nothing you wouldn’t find in any standard health club
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