Did you know that some exercises and exercise machines are not as good for you as you think? Some are less effective than people realize, while others can even be dangerous. Here are three exercises you may want to stop doing.
Ab Machines
You may find the ab machines more comfortable than simply doing crunches and sit-ups, but they are simply not as effective. You’ll need to work harder if you want to see true results, and your lower abs won’t work at all. One of the best replacements are planks that are safe and very effective for toning the ab muscles.
The Elliptical
Many people gravitate toward ellipticals because they are easy to use, but they don’t offer a large range of motion. It’s much better to use a rowing machine that engages many different muscles.
Superman
Superman is an exercise that puts a lot of pressure on your lower back so it may not be the best way to engage the back and core. You can try the bird-dog yoga pose instead as it strengthens the same muscles. Other great alternatives include deadlifts and floor bridges.
