The Ab Circle Pro is a home exercise machine that claims it will help you "lose your love handles" while slimming down your "buns, hips and thighs." It also claims that using it for just three minutes is the equivalent of doing 100 sit-ups.

Essentially, this is a circular-shaped product with handles on the top and knee pads on the bottom. Users kneel on the pads and hold the handles while moving their knees around the circular track clockwise, counter-clockwise or in opposite directions. The Ab Circle Pro is also adjustable to work different parts of the body, including the abs, obliques, butt, hips and thighs.

The infomercials (watch a commercial video clip below) for the starring fitness model Jennifer Nicole Lee say the Ab Circle Pro costs "only" $14.95, plus shipping and handling. The truth is, the first payment is $14.95, but total payments are $199.75, plus $34.50 for shipping and handling. This includes the machine, workout DVD and nutritional guide. Also, if you elect to purchase the "free" Fitness Complete nutritional vitamins, your credit card will automatically be charged $36.90 every two months after the first shipment.


If the price doesn't scare you away, maybe reviews from some customers will. Comments posted on the Internet about the machine include that it's not comfortable, it breaks easily, it strains your arms and it's really not an effective ab workout.

We say: Buyer beware.

If you really want to get six-pack abs, here is the most effective way to get them. Plus, we review the Shake Weight, Reebok Easytone Shoes and other trendy fitness products.

Deborah Dunham is a competitive runner, 10-time marathoner, four-time Boston qualifier, triathlete, certified RRCA Running Coach and ACE Personal Trainer.

Six-pack abs: Everybody wants the tightly-defined bikini-ready stomach. But do you know how to get your stomach in shape?

That's Fit recently caught up with fitness expert, AOL Health contributor and That's Fit columnist Myatt Murphy, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and author of seveal best-selling fitness books, including "The Body You Want in the Time You Have" and "Ultimate Dumbbell Guide," who was able to shed some light on six-pack abs.

That's Fit: What exactly are six-pack abs?
Myatt Murphy: When you're talking about developing a classic six-pack stomach, what people are referring to is being able to see their rectus abdominus. What most people aren't aware of is that this stomach muscle is actually one, long sheet of muscle, not six different smaller muscles. What gives you that "six-pack" look are a series of tendons that criss-cross over the top to help protect and stabilize it. That one lesson is important to know because it can help you understand the right way to train this muscle.

TF: What, traditionally, has been the best way to achieve the defined look?
MM: Thanks to the fitness product industry, most people believe the key is doing certain ab exercises. The truth is, abdominal exercises will certainly help you strengthen and build your muscles, but they aren't that efficient at burning off the fat that covers most peoples' abs. The most important -- and unfortunately -- most overlooked-step is watching your diet and regular aerobic exercise.

TF: How much of achieving six-pack abs is based on diet and exercise versus gender and genetics?
MM: That depends on the individual. Some people are gifted with genetics that allow them to eat anything, avoid exercise and never displace much stored fat in their midsections. Others can be lean all over, but the first place they deposit fat is in their middle.

Your best bet is to follow all the steps towards achieving a leaner, tighter midsection and see what genetics has blessed you with. How prominent your six-pack will look after you've dieted and exercised enough will depend on your body shape, the size and length of the tendons that cover over your rectus abdominus and other genetic factors. But even if you never see a full "six" (some people only show a "four-pack"), being leaner around your middle and having a stronger midsection not only looks great, it'll keep you healthier and less prone to injury down the road.

TF: How quickly can you really expect to see results?
MM: It depends on your dedication. The fastest way to get a lean, muscular midsection is adhering to a strict diet, engaging in regular aerobic activity and performing exercises that shape and strengthen your abdominal muscles (so they look more prominent once the fat comes off). I've seen men and women who were able to achieve success in a matter of three or four weeks, while others have struggled for months. It is entirely up to you.

TF: What are the best exercises you can do to achieve six-pack abs and how often do you have to do them before you'll see results?
MM: There are countless exercises for your midsection, but two great rules of thumb are to make a point of training them every day, and to perform at least one exercise that trains your midsection from three different motions -- like a crunch, hanging knee raise and twists to work your obliques (otherwise known as "love handles").

One classic exercise that accomplishes all three in one is the bicycle crunch: Lie on your back with your legs straight and your feet raised an inch off the floor. Your hands should rest lightly behind your ears. To start the exercise, draw your left knee up toward your abs as you simultaneously curl your head and shoulders off the floor. Twist at the waist and try to touch your right elbow to your left knee. Lower yourself back down to the floor and repeat, this time curling your right knee up and trying to touch it to your left elbow. Alternate from left to right throughout the exercise and try to do as many repetitions as you can.

TF: Is it ever too late to try and get six-pack abs?
MM: Never. Every day you decide it's too late is just another day closer you could have been to having that six-pack stomach.

Check out these moves from That's Fit for more tips on getting ripped abs.

Photo: Nick Wheeler Oz, Flickr

Mortified by your muffin top? Blame the booze -- according to studies, binge drinking can add a staggering 4 inches to your waistline if you're a woman, and 2 inches if you're a man. That's according to research from a few years ago that showed that ladies who regularly went on drinking binges were 4 inches bigger around the waist than those who kept their alcohol intake under control.

So just what constituted binge drinking in comparison to regular drinking? Those classified as binge drinkers drank at least 10 units in a single session at least once a month. But while 10 units seems like a lot, keep in mind that a large glass of wine can contain three 'units.' Eeps -- sounds like a regular Sunday dinner at my mother's house.

Still, this isn't really all that surprising -- alcohol can make you fat for a number of reasons:

We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Want flatter abs for that Labor Day getaway? Check out our step-by-step flat-abs exercise guide.

And while you're thinking about summer beach getaways, you might want to think of protecting your skin. But if sunscreen slips your mind, check out these sunburn-soothing home remedies from the editors at AOL Health.

Plus, to defend against summer stings of a different kind, head to our mosquito-bite-relief guide. (Who knew just how handy toothpaste could be?)

Your body needs a healthy amount of fat daily. But choose wisely and don't overdo it

All fat is not created equal. Fat that gathers around your butt and thighs is called subcutaneous fat, but belly fat is called visceral fat. Visceral fat is a good indicator of how much fat is around your organs. That's why people with large waistlines have an increased risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

You can do all the crunches in the world, and it's not going to get rid of belly fat. To keep your waistline slim, you need to eat a lean, healthy diet and burn excess calories through exercise. When it comes to the battle of the belly bulge, where are you?


Tip! Jonny tells us that blueberries can help banish belly fat. The high antioxidants in blueberries might make them especially beneficial for your belly, but all fruits and vegetables are friendly for a lean belly. Last week I wondered if you grew any of your own produce.

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We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.

Suffering from crunch fatigue?

You might want to try a stomach-slimming move that doesn't actually involve exercising -- just add these flat-belly foods to your diet. Our favorites? Avocados, dark chocolate and peanut butter. Or, here are snacks, desserts and meals that target ab flat. Plus, if you've heard about the "Flat-Belly Diet," and are curious about how well it works, check out this photo gallery of before and after photos of successful flat-belly dieters!

When it comes to flatter abs, does diet help you, or exercise. Or a little of both?

You could spend thousands on an abdominoplasty or $130 for a bottle of Rodial tummy tuck cream. "Clinically proven to reduce the abdominal area by up to 2 centimeters in 8 weeks," with no diet and exercise, could this be the product of the century? Or not. Call me jaded, but phrases such as "stomach flattening micro fibers" make me a bit skeptical. "CafeMom" weighs in.

Not willing to shell out $130? Try the tried and true route -- diet and exercise. AOL Health has tips to get you on your way to a flat belly.

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Can you really get flat abs in just 10 minutes? No, but that's not really what this DVD is about. This was the second 10 Minute Solution DVD I've had a chance to review, so I was familiar with the concept. The 10 Minute Solution DVDs don't promise results in 10 minutes, but they give you the option to do 10-minute sessions individually, or do all the portions at once for a full workout.

The 10 Minute Solution: Quick Tummy Toners DVD has five sections: Crunch Free Abs, Yoga Abs, Bikini Belly, Ab & Waist Definer and Sexy, Sporty Abs. Each section was led by Jessica Smith, who I really liked as an instructor. She was encouraging, had a seriously enviable body, and cued the moves really well, offering options to keep them easy or make them a little more challenging. Also, she had a different outfit and hairstyle for each section, which I got a kick out of.

Level of Difficulty
There were some challenging moves, for sure, but not tons of them. I definitely think a beginner could handle a majority of the moves with no problem.

Belly fat is undesirable, to say the least. It's unsightly, but more importantly, it's unhealthy. So really, shouldn't we all be doing everything we can to get rid of it? But then, we hear things like," Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14," or "Kate Winslet has a crumbly stomach," and we think maybe we're not in such bad shape after all.

Well, if you're going to compare your figure to a celebrity's, you should at least have the correct information, and the March issue of "Fitness" magazine has it. Check out these waist measurements and see how you measure up:

• Marilyn Monroe was super curvy, but had a 22-inch waist (clothing sizes have changed drastically since the 1950's).
• Audrey Hepburn weighed in at 103 pounds and had a 20-inch waist.
• Farrah Fawcett, one of America's greatest sex symbols, had a 24-inch waist.
• Jane Fonda, fitness queen, also had a 24-inch waist.
• Princess Diana's weight fluctuated widely, but her largest waist measurement was 27 inches.
• Kate Winslet has no problem baring her body, and she looks amazing, but surprisingly, she has a 29-inch waist.

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Whether you're flying south for Spring Break or just determined to battle the bulge before the heavy winter sweaters come off, tackling the extra weight around your waist should start now.

Don't worry, endless crunches aren't the answer. Though ab and core exercises certainly will tone tummy muscles buried deep under that layer of fat, there are smarter ways that will help you reach your goal by beach time -- like one of these four simple steps to a slimmer waist.

Those steps: adding intervals training to your workout to burn fat, eating five to six small meals a day and cutting out alcohol (hey, it worked for Nick Carter). Finally, you just need to relax. Holding in that tummy might make it seem flatter, but it makes belly breathing harder, which can wear you out.

Finally, when you are ready to tone, try this killer ab workout from Fitz.

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When you think of guys with hot beach bodies, Jack Black doesn't spring to mind. Matthew McConaughey with his beachy hair and fit body? Yes. Mario Lopez and his perfect abs? Sure. But Jack Black?

Jack Black recently vacationed in Mexico and spent some time paddling a surf board (with limited success) and relaxing on the shore. While his beach-ball-like belly is far from fit, there's something undeniably likable and sexy about his confidence, ease and so-what-if-I-don't-look-perfect, I'm-having-fun-anyway attitude.

Even though he admits to eating two breakfasts, we know Jack Black is trying to get fit. I hope he keeps at it. There's nothing sexier than a sense of humor and he's got that in spades. Pair it with a fit and healthy body, and there would be no stopping him.

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