Some abs machines are so basic you instantly know how to use them once you see them. Some, on the other hand, can take us a little time to figure out. While the exercise machines are designed to fit everybody’s needs in toning up the muscles, manyof them are not very effective and only waste our money. We are talking about the ab machines here that we usually find on the Internet and in infomercials.
Since the time that exercise machines have become portable, they have become more popular because who won’t like a machine that is so compact you can slide it under your bed or stand it on one corner of your room after your workout. The previous exercise home machines were larger, heavier, and of course more expensive. So there came the smaller types. They also have become more affordable and with regards to their structures, generally, abs machines have now greater support either for your back, your knees, neck, head and elbows.
On the other hand, we may see that some ab machines have enough support to make your abs workout comfortable, but some actually make it too comfortable. So instead of burning your fats away, you might want to sleep on the machine instead. That may sound funny, but it’s true. The question is how come the manufacturers designed ab machines to make people comfortable when you ought to sweat and feel the pain to gain the benefits? This is probably why some abs machines are nothing but fancy tools that are useless and inefficient.
So, take a look at the Ab Lounge. If you look at it, it looks more like a lounger than an exercise abs machine. With all its wide canvas, you may want to knock yourself out with it and snore away. Compared to other abs machines that have smaller and compact structures, the Ab Lounger fares away.
Indeed, the Ab Lounger may be liked by people who have back problems and do away with their crunches since the lounger bends in the middle which makes it an exercise machine. Checking on the range of motions you can do with it like the forward crunches, side crunches and bending your body to the max, you can also do that on the floor and no abs machine is needed. You can also do that with the stability ball or with other ab machines that have more compact and solid structures.
In short, we do not recommend this ab machine, and think that there are better ab machines in the market.
hMany people these days are becoming more and more conscious about the way they look. With an attractive figure in mind, they are willing to exert all kinds of effort just to have those well-sculpted abs: from exercising to dieting to hitting the gym. Some have resorted to buying equipments to exercise in the comfort of their own homes.
There are many exercise machines that will allow one to work out all the muscles in his or her abdomen. There exists a variety of ab machines that can help one achieve gorgeous abs.
Ab machines come in many forms and sizes. They come in varying degrees of difficulty as well. Some are simple to use while others are more complicated. If you are a first-time user of such machine, you must know how to use it properly. Below will give you some tips:
First off, you should make sure that you have assembled your ab machine correctly. This is important because assembling the equipment appropriately will allow you to exercise without hassle. Correctly assembling the machine will also ensure your safety while using it.
Use your abdominal muscles. This may be an obvious tip. However, you may forget to exercise the muscles in your abdomen when you are already tired from exercising. When you are already using your neck and back muscles, you should rest from exercising. This will only strain your neck and back and will not target your abdominal muscles.
It is important that you maintain consistency. Using your ab machine on a regular basis may help you achieve washboard abs quicker. It will be helpful if you have a regular schedule for working out your ab muscles. Remember: consistency is the key.
Make sure that you are in your natural position when using your ab machine. When your back is straight while using your ab machine, strengthening your abdominal muscles becomes safer and more effective.
Store your ab machine properly. Proper storage means longer life for your equipment. If you do not store you equipment properly, it will lose its effectiveness and efficiency as a partner in getting you a sexier figure.
Indeed, there are numerous models of ab machines everywhere. But whatever you choose to buy, you must definitely know how to use it. This will allow you to use its optimal capacity. You must also know how to take care of it. The longer your ab machine lasts, the longer it will be able to help you achieve a perfect body.
Today, countless numbers of abdominal exercise machines are being sold on television infomercials and in print media because of the trend that famous athletes, models, and celebrities created by showing their perfect six-pack abs. People are now getting busier working out just to look their best at all times. Some may choose to perform simple abdominal exercises, while others opt to purchase abs workout machines.
Following ab exercise programs can surely give good results but with the help of the perfect ab machine, the job can be done easily and without the strain. However, though we know that ab machines can work wonders, we are sometimes getting confused because of the many available products that we think can all work for us. Thus when we want to purchase our own abdominal exercise machine for abs, it might be difficult to figure out which of these can do the job perfectly.
According to most weight training professionals, individuals who prefer to do the bulk of the work when shaping their abdominal muscles using their best ab machines should prefer to have heavier loads so that maximum results could be achieved. On the other hand, individuals who do not like to exercise a lot and lack motivation to do intense workout should choose abdominal equipment that can carry out small loads but can surely provide firmer abs with prolong and repetitive use.
There are now different abdominal exercise machines that can facilitate strong stomach muscle contraction and make the lower ab muscle getting toned. There are also machines that can make even the outer ab muscles firmer and harder. Hence, the result always rely on the type of ab machine being used and the capability of the user to use the machine effectively.
Lastly, consistency of abdominal workout must be ensured when using abdominal machines in exercising the stomach muscles. The quality of the machine, its design and how regularly it can be used are some of the determining factors if the device will really work. You will surely attain your desired well-defined abs if you can choose an exercise machine that is easier, more convenient, and more motivating to use.
Once you decided to choose which equipment you think is the best ab machine for you, you are now ready to buy the machine and start working out with it. But still, no pain no gain so if you see that even the ab machine can exhaust your gut out, make no haste in using it. Use it slowly at first and feel it. As you go by, you will enjoy its features and you can start adding more load and effort in using it. In no time, you can have that flat tummy and watch your abs getting harder. So searching for the perfect abs machine is just the beginning on your way to getting the best shape you always dream about.
Constantly, new abs machines are being launched, or re-launched with big advertising investment. These ab machines as seen on TV are quickly becoming popular, but that does not necessarily mean that they really deliver what the promise. Here is a review of the best ab machines and ab programs in 2011.
Ab Circle Pro
Recently there has been a lot of noise about the ab circle pro. Most probably it is because of the celebrity endorsement by Jennifer Nicole Lee and the massive TV advertising. Well, Jennifer really has a great body and amazing abs and she had to , but does the ab circle pro really work? You can find here our cheap ab circle pro review, but to sum it up:
It trains your abs AND your obliques
It gives you a certain cardio workout – even though the intensity is not that high
The knee cushions aren’t very comfortable, you might need to use some knee pads
Jennifer Nicole looks great
The machine itself can give you a great ab workout, but there has been too many reported quality issues to give this machine a good rating
The most frequent misspellings of the ab circle pro include: AbsCirclePro, AbCirclePro, Abs Circle Pro, AbCircle, abscircle, ab pro, pro ab circle, mini circle, ab circle mini
Crazy Abs Exerciser
The crazy abs exerciser is an ab machine quite similar to the Ab Coaster. In comparison with the ab coaster, it is cheaper – and maybe a little less sturdy. It is a really good ab machine as you will do a movement similar to hanging leg raises, and so it will also target your lower abs. You can also target your obliques by doing the exercise sidewards, even though some taller consumers reported that they did not notice that oblique exercise that much. The crazy abs exerciser is much less popular than the ab circle pro – due to the fact that there is not so much advertising for this machine, but it receives much better reviews.
Ab Ripper X is another popular abdominal program. It belongs to the P90X series. This program focuses only on abdominal exercises, so it does not include nutrition or cardio exercises – you still need to think about these issues, though, as they are crucial to really burn the fat and show your abdominals.
The program contains 11 different exercises. If you do 25 repetitions of each, you’ll do a total of 275 reps that will definitely tone your abs. (and it will burn!).
Ab Rocket
The ab rocket is almost a ‘classical’, it has been around for almost five years. We have reviewed the product in the best abs machines article. The advantage of the ab rocket is that it is an ab machine that supports your neck – as long as you’re not taller than 5’9. It features springs that make it easier to do ab crunches, but many consumers complain that the springs don’t have enough strength. This will depend on your weight and your fitness level. To buy Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer for the best price at Amazon click here
If your objective is to tone your abs, you might also be interested in a cheap Slendertone.
Coming to this page you probably want to buy a cheap ab machine and you probably have already made up your mind about what model to buy. If you are still in doubt about what ab machine to choose, please read our review of the best ab machines and the information on the best ab machines for ab crunches.
Below you find the best price for the most popular ab machines. For best customer service all our orders are processed through Amazon, so benefit from all the guarantees that this trusted and respected online retailer offers.
Cheap Slendertone
Strictly speaking, the Slendertone Flex Belt ain’t really an ab machine as you don’t do exercises. It is an ab toner working with electrical muscle stimulation. If you want to know more about the Slendertone belt, please read our Slendertone Review.
The Ab Lounge is one of the “classics” that has been around for quite a time. Its advantages are that this machine supports your head (thereby reducing the stress on your neck) and that you pre-stretch your ab muscles. Not recommended if you have back problems. On the good side, it’s quite sturdy and comfortable.
Cheap Ab Rocket
The Ab Rocket is another very popular Ab Machine. It has a height limitation of 5’9 or else your head will not rest comfortably. The advantage of the Ab Rocket is that the springs will assist you in your ab crunch exercise. But it will depend on your fitness level whether the strength of the springs is right for you.
The Ab Circle Pro has become very popular due to the fitness endorsement by Jennifer Nicole Lee. Read here our review of the Ab Circle and where to buy Ab Circle Pro.
The Cheapest Ab Machines
If you are on a budget, there are a few ab machines that will cost you under 20 US$. Sure, they are not as comfortable and sturdy as the professional machines, but they are still very effective training your abs and if you can’t afford one of the more expensive machines they are a great option.
Valeo Ab Wheel
Cheap and simple, yet effective way to train your abs. You hold it in your hand and roll back and forth, training your abs.
If you can spare the extra buck, we recommend the Lifeline USA Power Wheel> as you can use it on your hands or on your feets.
Ab balls (or stability balls) are a great tool for your ab workout and help you increase your core strength. In our ab ball review you can find information on what size you need. If you buy one, don’t forget to buy an air pump, too.
Ab Straps
If you already have a workout bar, then ab straps are a great (and cheap) way to train your abs (especially your lower abs) with hanging leg raises or knee raises. Not recommended if you have back problems. Read our Ab Straps Review.
You need to fix the Ab Straps to a Workout Bar. If you don’t have one, our recommenadition would be the Iron Gym Workout Bar.
If there is one issue in our society that everybody is worried about, it’s about weight loss . Predominantly, being overweight or becoming obese is the result of bad eating habit and a lifestyle with lack of exercises. It is also the result of our bodies getting lethargic and not burning the fats that we get from our foods.
The problem is, even when people adopt healthier eating habits, healthy lifestyles and doing work outs regularly, if there is no adequate exercise for the abdominal muscles, the result will be a disproportionate body so you can see people with bulging muscles, trim body and yet a bulging abdomen.
So essentially, we should not forget to include in our exercise programs abs workouts that will target the abdomen lining. If you will search for the best ab machines online, you could surely find lots of them with different structures and follow different methods on how to use them. There are ab machines with rollers, wheel devices, and elastic bands. You could also try the pedaled ab machines and the ab gliders. You can find any of these large abs machines in gyms and they surely are effective. However, what if you don’t have time to go to the gym because of your hectic business schedule?
So are there other abs machines you could use to reduce your belly if you don’t have the time to go to a gym? Now there are even Wii trainers that claim to train your abs. These definitely are not effective, but there are mobile abs machines so you can use an ab machine right in the comfort of your home by buying one of these folded-type portable aachines which you can easily store in your bedroom, under your table or anywhere else inside your home. Aside from this advantage, they are really affordable and mobile you can use them near the pool, in your backyard or while watching your favorite TV programs or movies. The good thing about the new portable ab sculptors is that not all of them are the machine where you need to do ab crunches
Cheap Slendertone Belt Review: Does the Slendertone work?
Take for example the Slendertone Flex Abdominal Muscle Toner. This is an abdominal toning belt type that is different from the ordinary muscle toner belt. The Slendertone Flex Pro is designed using the medical-grade EMS technology that can automatically stimulate your abdominal area as you have the advantage of using its 99 resistance levels.
It has 77 built-in programs so you have the option to change the way it will contract your ab muscles and what it does is it strengthens all the 3 ab muscle groups in your ab area. It has an adjustable strap that can fit the waist between 24 to 47 inches so women and men can use it anytime, anywhere and no hard workout is needed. It comes with 3 gel pads and has a 2 year warranty. In just six weeks the Slendertone Flex Pro promises you a stronger and firmer ab muscles.
It is actually designed for persons who are so busy they can’t even use a foldable type of ab machine. When you apply the gel pads to your abdomen and strap the belt on, the Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology will automatically send signal to its microchips and the contraction begins. By contracting the 3 abdominal muscle group which are the rectus, oblique and transversus, it’s just like you are doing your crunch and sit-ups all along but without the strain. This ab machine is approved by the U.S. FDA and made by Bio Medical Research (BMR) Ltd that won the Consumer Goods Export Award in 2005 so you can be sure it is an effective and reliable gadget for training your abs.
So, is the Slendertone Flex Toner is an abs machine for lazy persons? Well, it will make your abs contract, so you are still working out, only that you don’t need to motivate yourself – and you can do it while seated, so it will not strain your back or your neck.
Don’t do the “couch potato mistake”: when you use the belt while slouched on the sofa in front of your TV you will train unevenly and this can give you back pain. You should try to sit straight during the exercise.
Don’t exaggerate when you start using the belt. Unless you are used to doing a lot of ab exercises, you should stick to the recommended levels and workout durations.
don’t try to move the belt while it’s switched on – or you will probably get an eletrical shock in your fingers.
clean your skin where the gel pads will make contact – this will increase the life span of the pads.
use the up and down arrows to adjust the level of intensity. Increase to a level that is effective but not painful.
So, the Slendertone Flex Trainer can be an effective ab machine and it will help you train your abs in a very comfortable way. Still, keep in mind that stimulating your muscles electrically is not the same as doing a real ab exercise. If you rather prefer a real abs workout, check out our review of the best ab machines.
You are probably looking for a cheap Ab Circle Pro, as this is right now is the most popular (and most advertised) ab machine in the market. This ab machine is endorsed by fitness celebrity Jennifer Nicole Lee. If you want to buy the ab circle pro cheap for the best price then please see below.
The advantages of the Ab Circle is that it trains your abs and your obliques. It is easily folded for storage and transportable. You’ll notice that is really quite a workout and you can adjust the machine to your fitness level. The Ab Circle Pro works your abs muscles, but it is also a cardio exercise so it helps you to burn belly fat if you work out for a longer time (tip: instead of increasing the intensity by changing the incline position, make your workout longer so it works more as a cardio exercise).
It’s important to keep in mind that the Ab Circle Pro has a weight limit of 275 pounds. You will exercise on your knees so if you suffer with some kind of knee problems it is probably not the right ab machine for you. There have been some reports of quality issues – a problem of quality control, as not all machines are like this.
Tips:
Use knee pads to protect your knees and keep your knees in place when exercising.
The Ab Circle Pro might slip around if you use it on a wooden floor, so it’s better to place on a carpet.
Remember to read all the directions and start slowly, especially if you are seriously out of shape.
If you order the Ab Circle Pro through their official website, initially you only have to pay 14.95 US$. But then they charge 34.50 US$ for shipping and handling (non-refundable!) and if you decide to keep it, there are five payments of 39.95 US$ each, so the total is over 200 US$ and you actually can buy it cheaper at Amazon!
Here are my picks for the best ab machines out there to work your abs. They are separated in different categories, depending on what your objectives are.
The best abs machines for traditional ab crunches
In my opinion the traditional crunch is still one of the most effective exercises to work your abs. As we have discussed in previous articles, one of the main problems people have with the ab crunch is the strain it puts on your neck. These two ab machines support your neck and solve this problem:
AB Trainer
The AB Trainer allows you to do ab crunches and supports your head, thereby reducing the stress on your neck. It is not the highest quality out there, it is definitely not gym quality but it will do the job and for 100 US$ it is reasonably priced.
This is the “heavy duty” club version of the AB Trainer. It is top quality and you still can do your abs in ten years from now. If you care about quality and you always want to get the best, this is your choice. It might be better quality and more comfortable but keep in mind that it costs 200 US$ and will not train your abs more than the basic AB Trainer.
The best Abs Machines for lower Ab Workouts
Perfect Pullup Heavy Duty Ab Straps
As we have discussed in an earlier article, using ab straps to do hanging leg raises or knee raises is one of the best ways to train your lower abs. Read the recommendations in the post in order to avoid back injury (no swinging!). Not for people with back problems, but definitely a very good way to train your lower abs. Don’t be fooled by the low price, keep in mind that you need a workout bar where you can hang the abs on, so you need to buy also the workout bar.
Crazy Abs Abdominal Exercise Home Gym
This is a good abs machine that has received very positive reviews. It is very versatile, allowing to target your upper, lower and oblique abdominals. The motion is quite similar to doing hanging knee raises only that you’re not hanging so it’s more comfortable and there is less risk that you overstretch your back. At 140 Bucks it ain’t cheap but it is a very powerful machine. There is a video on youtube that shows how you use it:
Best-selling Abs Machines
These are some of the best known Abs Machines out there, therefore I have included them. However they have some limitations so make sure you read my comments.
Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer
The good thing about the Ab Rocket is that you get to rest your head. There are some springs that might make it easier to do ab crunches, but whether these springs have the right strength for you depends on your weight and your fitness level. The most important limitation is that this machine is not adequate if you are taller than 5’9 as then your head will not be in the right position. The good thing is that it comes with a diet/nutrition program which will help you to reduce the belly fat covering your abs.
Ab Lounge Abdominal Exerciser
The good thing about the Ab Lounge is that you stretch your back before you do the ab crunch. This means that you work your abs on a wider range. BUT this can also be dangerous if you overstretch, you can hurt your back. So if you are seriously out of shape or if you have a back problem you want to avoid this machine! Also, it is rather bulky so not recommendable if you live in a small apartment. On the good side, it is quite comfortable and sturdy.
You might also be interested to read our cheap ab circle pro review, as this is another best-selling ab machine.
Best Ab Machine to Burn Belly Fat
All the abs machines that are reviewed above will help you to strengthen and tone your abdominal muscles. But if you have been following this blog then you know that the main challenge is to burn off belly fat: right now there is probably a layer of fat hiding your abs and no matter how strong and muscular your abdominal muscles get, if you don’t get rid of that fat your abs will not show!
The best way to get rid of belly fat is through diet/nutrition and through cardio exercise. For this purpose a treadmill or a bicycle is not ideal as they work only your lower body, the best machines to burn belly fat are elliptical machines and rowing machines as they exercise your entire body and thereby burn more fat. Strictly speaking it is not an “abs machine” but it is included here as it is one of the best ways to achieve the objective of ripped abs. In that sense, it is actually the perfect abs machine…
Body Champ BRM3671 Cardio Dual Trainer
Let’s face it, an elliptical machine is not a cheap exercise equipment. This item here is the most expensive of all the equipment listed in this post and it is still quite a low price for an elliptical (for a professional gym elliptical machine you can pay up to 5000 US$). For an elliptical it is reasonably priced while still offering a good quality.
In our last article, we have seen the importance of a good lower ab workout, what benefit it has for your back and your health, and also how it can help you to get a flatter stomach. We also explained reverse crunches, the best lower ab workout for beginners. Abs machines can you help to exercise your lower abs and can make your workout more effective, so today we will look at the best ab machines for your lower ab workout and what exercises to do.
Using an abs bench for lower ab workout: doing inclined reverse crunches
Initial position: lie on your back on an declined abs bench, using your arms to stabilize your body, with your feets raised and your knees bent.
Exercise: now bring up your knees towards your chest, trying to raise your pelvis off the board. Hold for a second and lower your knees back to the initial position. Make sure not to lower your legs to far as this might cause you to overstretch your back and hurt your back.
The higher the angle of the incline, the more challenging the exercise is for your abs.
Decline leg raises with an abs bench
This is an advanced exercise. It works your abs a lot but it also really puts a lot of strain on your lower back. Personally, I would rather jump to the hanging knee raises and skip this exercise.
The exercise is the same as the decline reverse crunch, but instead of having your knees bent, you have your legs straight at all times. You lift your legs up as far as possible, curling your torso towards your chest and then lower them again. Don’t lower your legs too far down as this will only increase the stress on your lower back.
Using ab balls for lower ab workout: knee tucks on stability ball
Initial position: you have your shins on an ab ball and are in push-up position (i.e. face down, rested on your arms and on your shins which are on the stability ball).
Exercise: use your abs to roll the ball closer to your hands. To do this, bring your legs towards your body, bending the knees and sticking your buttocks into the air.
By the way: you can also do the reverse crunches on the abs ball. On the abs ball you will obtain a greater stretch of the abdominals, so the exercise will be more effective. Lie on the ab ball, face up. Use your arms to stabilize your body and then lift and lower your legs.
Using ab straps for your lower ab workout
As we have seen in the article on ab straps, doing hanging knee raises and hanging leg raises are two great exercises to train your lower abs. Find the detailed description of the exercise in the article. Please read this review if you are interested in cheap ab machines.
An ab ball, also called exercise ball or fitness ball can be the perfect abs machine and very effective for your abs workout. So, what exactly is an ab ball? An abs ball is a heavy-duty inflatable rubber ball on which you can sit or lie to perform your exercises. They come in different sizes so you can choose the one that fits your body size.
Using ab balls as ab exercise equipment has several advantages:
When doing a crunch on an ab ball your back stretches backward. In comparison with the standard crunch where you lie on the floor, on an abs ball you train your abdominals in a much wider range of motion and it has been scientifically proven that this trains your abdominals more.
You need to permanently maintain your balance on the ab ball. That means that you train a wide variety of muscles at the same time and your lower back and abdominals have to work harder to maintain stability while at the same time doing the crunch.
You gain increased balance, stability and coordination.
Many people find the workout on the stability ball more comfortable than the standard crunch on the floor.
Keep in mind that one of the main functions of your abdominals is not only to flex your torso, but to actually give stability to your torso, balancing your body and protecting your spine from injury. It is clear that a workout on the ab ball where you permanently need to adjust your balance is the perfect exercise for this objective and will give you true core strength.
With an abs ball you can train all your abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis, obliques and transverse abdominis).
How to train your abs on an ab ball:
When you start off exercising on an ball, make sure that you hold onto a wall in order to maintain the balance.
Sit on the abs ball, then move your feet forward while leaning backwards, until you reach the initial position in which you lie face upwards on the ball, your back stretched backwards over the ball.
Place your fingers behind your head.
Now do the crunch movement, flexing your torso approaching your rips towards your thighs.
There is no need to do a complete sit-up (the last part of the movement only trains your hip flexors and not your abdominals), it’s enough to get up to a position where your body is angled about 30º .
Now slowly lower your weight again until your back is again stretched over the exercise ball.
You find three more effective ab workout in this Youtube video.
Watch out, unlike other abs machines, the ab ball does not provide any support for your neck so you need to stabilize it yourself. Many persons make the error of locking both hands behind their head and then pulling their head upwards, straining your neck. In order to avoid that, the best trick is not to lock the fingers of your hands. Place your fingers on each side of your head so that they just touch. When doing the exercise focus on maintaining the head in line with your spine, don’t tilt it forward.
What size of Ab Ball to chose?
Ab Balls exist in a variety of different sizes and you need to select the right size for your height. As a general rule, when you sit on an ab ball you should note:
your feet are even on the ground with an equal distribution of the weight (not standing on the tip of the toes)
your knees should create an angle of 90 degrees or a little more – this means that if you look at it from the side, your hips are at the same height or slightly above your knees
your upper body should be straight, not leaning forward or backwards to balance.
Here is a recommendation of what size of ab ball you need based on your height (information courtesy of spine-health.com)
Ab Ball Diameter
Your height
5′ and under
45 cm
5’1″– 5’8″
55 cm
5’9″– 6’2″
65 cm
6’3″– 6’7″
75 cm
6’8″ and taller
85 cm
You can find cheap ab balls at Amazon for around 20US$. The TKO series has the advantage that they are anti-burst. Don’t forget to buy also an Air Pump.
