"Abs Are Not Legs!"

[Dips]

This was told to me by my middle younger brother [MYB]. He is a certified personal trainer and works at a health club.

One of the customers complained to him because the only available leg curl machine didn't have a seat belt, which is to help keep you from arching your back while on the machine.

MYB politely told him that he would definitely make a note of that and then, since the machines with seat belts were in use, told him he could use the muscles in his abs to keep his back straight while using the machine.

Instead of taking the advice or waiting for a machine with a seatbelt to become free the guy sarcastically said to MYB, like he was addressing a child:

"This [pointing at the leg curl machine] is for my legs, that [pointing at the ab machine] is for abs. When I want to excercise my abs I go *there* not *here.* Get this thing fixed."

And then he stormed away.

MYB was professional enough not to ask him if he needed a separate machine for his brain.

But seriously, who thinks that all other muscles just cease to work when you exercise one group? You'd be lying there in a heap. Does he think your heart stops beating if you're not doing cardio?

Dum dum.

[Acolyte]

Hell, I'd have been like 'Bonus! Now I don't have to do an ab machine as well!'

What a mentard.

[Tutorgal]

What an idiot. You're supposed to tighten your abs on any machine you do. Gives you more stability and an extra ab workout. I have a personal trainer and every time on every machine the first thing out of her mouth is "are you pulling in your abs?"

[BookstoreEscapee]

Unless your back is particularly weak, you're probably better off using your abs instead of relying on the seatbelt, anyway...

[Seshat]

I've never seen a leg curl machine with a seatbelt. Heck, I've never seen any gym machine with a seatbelt. The attitude here is: if you're not holding your body in proper position to do the exercise, you're doing it wrong.

[ArenaBoy]

I can only picture what my cross-country and track coach would say, he always had a sense of humor and was fond of making it known.

[iradney]

I also have never seen a piece of gym equipment with a seatbelt. And yes, as previously stated, when doing any work out, you're supposed to bring your navel to your spine (contract your abs) so you keep a proper posture. Otherwise dead lifting would snap your back!

[GingerBiscuit]

And slightly clenching your abs as you go about your daily life keeps you in the perfect posture.

Ah well, rest assured in the knowledge that if he won't clench his abs he's just not getting the benefit of the exercise and will eventually hurt something.

[Rapscallion]

And slightly clenching your abs as you go about your daily life keeps you in the perfect posture.

That explains the many people I see who appear to be constipated.

Raspcallion

[powerboy]

You are suppose to tighten the abs, when you work out. And just like everyone else, I have never seen a seatbelt with any work-out machine

[Knightmare]

I've seen seat belts on workout equipment. It's usually for the beginner classes.
What's really weird is seeing a seat belt on an exercise ball. What's the point in that?

[Dips]

What's really weird is seeing a seat belt on an exercise ball. What's the point in that?

On an exercise ball?

Maybe that's so you can wear it on your butt and achieve that coveted "bubble" shape?

[Becks]

Maybe that's so you can wear it on your butt and achieve that coveted "bubble" shape?

My butt's shape is coveted?

By people to have attached to their own bodies, and not by guys who like chicks with butts like that?

[Bobsentme]

What's really weird is seeing a seat belt on an exercise ball. What's the point in that?

I thought the seat belt on there was to hold them on while you rolled the ball into traffic!