Can you also do ab exercises with this, or is it generally for spine/neck decompression?
1170945
You CAN do ab exercises but I do mine on a decline bench. Everyone has their own taste/way of doing abs. I would say a 180 sit up would be for advanced builders. If you do use it for situps, do the situps FIRST before you allow yourself to decompress.
1249128
I think so. It helps me in general. my problem is more my lower back. But from time to time I wake up with my arms "asleep" and hanging the next morning usually takes care of it. ( not a strict neck problem)
2004450
I have low back pain and I bought the Ab Carver to help build my core strength. Using the Ab Carver may build my core but it hurts my back right now. I expect after I build up the core muscles it will not hurt as much and I will be able to work on my abs.
1068095
On days that my back has been particularly achy, I have turned the entire chair around and used the back as an armrest. I don't know if this is a recommended use or not. At the time I received mine, no recommended exercises were included. I received mine as a gift about 10 years ago and it is still in use and shows no sign of "wearing out" I LOVE IT. If it ever pops or falls apart, I'll order another!
2004454
My 21 year old son does have mild back troubles, but this didn't seem to affect it one way or another. However, most medical professionals will tell you to strengthen your stomach muscles to help your back, so in theory, it would work....BUT....as a person who has had three back surgeries, I would think this type of exercise machine a bit too extreme for someone who has serious back troubles. If your back troubles stem from muscle strain, it may help...but if you have a bulging disk, sciatica or spinal stenosis, I would try something less strenuous.
1711009
I didn't find it to be better than any other activity, but if you stick with it, it's a good workout. I found it to be more full body than abs.
1706170
I bought this as a part of a workout program I am doing. I use it mostly for soft tissue work. But I have used it on my back. Mostly for just stretching out muscles. That said, I have noticed that it really does help with tightness in my back when I use it. As a consequence, I now use it sometimes when my back is hurting. However the exercise program I am doing is also helping strengthen my back muscles as well. Long answer but this is how it is working for me.
1655378
I haven't tried it since I bought mine because of a slipped disc, but if you were in the vertical position and you were just doing crunches and not trying to do full sit ups I thing it would work.
1586297
My personal preference for ab crunches,is from a sitting position,pulling weight from the lower pulleys.Lock the arms in the straps,add whatever weight you prefer,and dip forward.You can regulate how much pressure you shift to your abs.And can also add twists for the lats,and back.I find that is much less strainful,than doing them from a sitting position,and still can maximize energy to the abs.===Richard
2369
It will definitely help you strengthen your abs! However, the first thing you'll notice is a nicely toned lower back, and live handles melting away. For a workout that targets the belly fat try regular crunches. Nothing better than that! I hope this helps.
1491937
yes! I bought mine for exercises. i do a sitting exercise that uses my arms for movement, but you could do what you describe as well.
830510
it depends on what cause of the neck "problems" I would suspect. The teeter does not replace surgery obviously, but it will help decompress the spine.
616906
No, this is strictly for doing dips only. No other exercise can be performed except dips. Hope this helps?
610701
I don't see why not. I don't think that they would make a different Ab Crunch for each individual model.Note: I believe one can get just as good of an ab workout by just putting the machine at the highest level, mount machine by laying on your back, push handles and of course cables to your sides and crunch till your tummy has enough, then take a two minute break and then.........have at it again.Just my opinion.Gary
1773427
Sorry no you cannot do back crunches is made to forward/stomach crunches with weight plates if wanted/needed.
1120647
Your ab muscles have never been engaged in this kind of activity before. If you continue to use the device, your muscles become stronger and the pain will eventually go away. Just keep on using it.
1971599
Yes it works perfectly fine. You can do sit ups crunches ab twist. A lot of things