We have all seen those ads for ab machines on late night TV. They make it seem so simple – just use this magic piece of equipment a few minutes a day and soon you will have that washboard stomach you’ve always dreamed of having.

Of course the reality is somewhat different, and it is simply not possible to achieve those rock hard abs without lots of hard work. While ab machines can make it easier and more comfortable to exercise, you still have to make a commitment to exercise on a daily basis and eat right in order to shed enough body fat to see those stomach muscles in the first place.

As anyone who has spent time with a personal trainer will tell you, the number one most recommended exercise for toning and shaping the abdominal muscles is the crunch.

The crunch begins with you lying on a mat, with your knees up, feet on the floor and hands either crossed over your chest or behind your head. From that position, you raise the upper torso off the floor while keeping the lower torso and lower back on the mat.

This simple crunch is easy to do, very effective, and requires no apparatus except perhaps a good exercise mat. However, fitness organizations and manufacturers of ab machines have found that people often experience neck strain and lower back pain when doing crunches.

In fact, this is one of the most frequently cited reasons why people stop doing crunches. Ab machines may help to eliminate the strain on the neck and lower back but unfortunately, manufacturers often overstate the benefits of these devices.

Results of tests with ab machines are not that great. I encourage you to read the article called, Six Popular Ab Machines Put to the Test, and you'll see for yourself just how effective they are.

The most overstated promise made by manufacturers is that by simply using their ab machines, you'll "easily" be able to sculpt that perfect six pack. Even if ab machines worked that well, chances are that six pack won't be visible unless you are in great shape and are very lean. Otherwise, your six pack will be hidden under a layer of fat.

That brings us to another overstated promise made by the manufacturers of ab machines. They all claim that you can lose fat just around your waist and stomach area by using their machines. This "spot reduction" is not physiologically possible.

It is not possible to lose fat in a specific spot or area on your body. When you shed excess body fat, you lose it "everywhere." The best way to lose excess body fat is to have a comprehensive workout plan that consists of weight lifting and aerobic exercises, combined with a healthy diet. Adding ab machines to the mix can certainly help, but they are one very small piece of the puzzle.

Most manufactures of ab machines also understate the amount of exercise it takes to achieve rock hard abs. Even for those lean enough that their abs are visible, that sculpted look can only be achieved by doing multiple sets of specific exercises with several repetitions.

It is simply not possible to achieve the kind of results they show you on TV without doing a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes of high intensity abdominal exercises at least 2-3 times per week. Ab machines may make the workout more comfortable, but they will not reduce the time required.

Ab machines do have some benefits, however. For instance, most of the popular ab machines are inexpensive and come with videos and manuals that provide a good primer on abdominal toning and general fitness.

In addition, some people may find that ab machines provide support for the neck and back which reduces neck and back strains while performing the ab exercises. If ab machines make crunches easier and more comfortable to perform, this may encourage people to do more of them which is an added benefit.

Another benefit of ab machines is the psychological affect they may have. The very act of buying an ab machine encourages people to make a commitment to fitness and exercise.  Of course this benefit is only realized if they back that commitment with action! Buying the machine is one thing. Using it on a regular basis is another.

Whether you feel you need an ab machine or not to get you motivated, don't ignore the other important pieces of the "fitness puzzle" - regular exercise and a healthy diet. To be honest with you, if you need help getting motivated and started on a road to total fitness, your hard-earned money and time would be better spent on a comprehensive fitness plan tailored to your needs.

Believe it or not, you can have a personal trainer and access to nutritional experts all year long for LESS than what you'd spend on some of those popular ab machines. For example, one of the most popular ab machines on the market right now is the Ab Scissor which retails for over $260. You can see for yourself what this machine is all about at Shoppers Choice.

For less than $60, there is an online fitness resource that will assign you a certified personal trainer and will give you direct access to an entire team of nutrition and fitness experts for an entire year! You will  get more results with this resource than ANY ab machine can give you. If you have interest, read our review on Global Health and Fitness. They may be a better option to help you achieve those rock hard abs you desire!