Saturday, January 11, 2014

How To Buy An Ab Machine Part 4: Ab Machines Recommendations

The purpose of this buying guide is to help you find which one of the best ab machines for home is for you


Here are links to the complete guide:


Abdominal exercises have come a long way from doing uncomfortable situps on the floor to now being a quick evolving industry of complicated ab machines for home. Ab exercises already have many different forms and angles, so it’s no wonder that ab machines come in a variety of styles ..and prices!


So here are our recommendations!


Onward!


recommended best ab machines


Recommended Manufacturers


Recommended Health and Fitness ProductsConsidering the fitness niche is so popular, there are always new manufacturers and brand names popping up! Some of them only make one ab machine while others will create a full line of health and fitness products. When it comes to recommending just one brand name, it can be daunting.


There are quite a few factors when it comes to recommending the best ab machine for home, and it is not always what gives you the best workout. There are a few more extra things to keep in mind


  • Price – you’re buying it after all
  • Easy to put away? Unless you don’t mind having it out all the time.
  • Easy to use? So you can continue to use it
  • CONVENIENT to use? So you can continue to use it
  • Fun to use? So you can continue to use it (see a theme?)
  • Effectivenes: lastly, does it actually work?

The last one is last on our list because all ab exercise machines actually work. If you read our How To Buy An Ab Machine Part 2 you’ll see that there are basic movements for working out the abs, and in all honesty we have found that all ab machines are designed to mimic these movements.


That being said, the manufaturers we would recommend:


1. Proform Ab Glider Ab Machines



Proform (official site) is a well-reputed name in the exercise machine industry. Overall for function, we find the elevated downward facing ab exercises the most effective. They are easiest on the back and neck and are actually quite fun to do. There are quite a number of machines that fit this mold and we find the Proform Ab Gliders to be the best ones. The Pro Glider Platinum has three main advantages over the Pro Glider Sport: extra DVDs, adjustable incline, and a bar to add extra weight – in other words, ways to make your workout more extreme!


   


2. Powerline Ab Machines By Body Solid



Powerline Fitness by Body Solid (official site) makes some incredible and sturdy home gym equipment including a number of benches for you to really throw the weight around. Included in the arsenal is the Powerline PAB139X bench: a straightforward sit up bench. This is the “free-weight” version for crunches. Sturdy and you make your own angles and situp workouts. Great because it’s elevated: easy on the back and neck as long as you keep your form.


Powerline makes a lot of other great equipment including crunch benches (with added resistance) including a number of weight benches, roman chairs, and power towers. Very sturdy brand name.


3. Ab Rocket Ab Machines



We were a bit hesitant to put the Ab Rocket (official site) brand name here because we don’t really like on-the-floor crunch machines like this. However, there is no denying their convenience AND price. Not to mention the colors and rollers are really pleasing to the eye. If this gets you doing at least some sort of sit-ups on a regular basis, then that’s a good thing. There is no doubting the popularity of the Ab Rockets and when used correctly, they do work.


Great for the beginner who just needs to get started and is on a budget.


   


Recommended Models


Considering the above, here are our recommended models.


1. ProForm Ab Glider Platinum Ab Machine


ProForm Ab Glider Platinum Ab Machine


  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Reasoanbly priced

  • Bar to add weight

  • Adjustable resistance

  • Most effective and fun style for ab workouts

  • As a second choice, the Ab Glider Sport, but the cost is almost the same and you get more for the Ab Glider Platinum

2. PowerLine PAB139X Ab Board Machine


PowerLine PAB139X Ab Board Machine


  • 4.5 out of 5 stars

  • Sturdy, well padded

  • Solid Base

  • Good price

3. Ab Coaster Home Abdominal Trainer Ab Machine


Ab Coaster Home Abdominal Trainer Ab Machine


  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Extremely sturdy – well built and durable

  • Similar to Proform Ab Gliders: feels more durable, but also twice as expensive

4. Apex Roma Hyper Extension Bench


Apex Roma Hyper Extension Bench


  • 4.5 out of 5 stars

  • Heavy duty and durable

  • A bit on the expensive side (2x as much as Powerline) but can often find discounted at 50% off at Amazon

5. Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer


Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer pic


  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • Portable

  • Reasonable cost

  • Can be easy to use incorrectly if you don’t pay attention which leads to ineffective workout

  • Attractive design and colors – just looking at it you want to sit in it (and maybe once you sit in it you’ll do some crunches

NOTE: The Ab Rocket Twister is more expensive and adds the “twist” (side-bend) feature – we didn’t find it that effective compared to regular side bends, and makes the regular crunches slightly harder to do correctly, and it’s more expensive. So our recommendation is the Ab Rocket over the Ab Rocket Twister


That Concludes Our “How To Buy An Ab Machine” 4-part Buying Guide


We hope that this “How to Buy an Ab Machine” buying guide has provided you adequate information that will effectively help you in deciding which product can best meet and satisfy your requirements. Just take your time in learning and assessing the several sit up exercise machines and research the ab machine reviews and consider what is most important for you.


Good luck!


References


Here are links to the complete guide:


Cheers!



Check out reviews of each of our recommended best ab machines for home and more

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