Top 10 Best Ab Machines (Nov. 2022): Reviews & Buyers Guide

What Does an Ab Machine Do?

There are plenty of ways to get beach-ready abs, but for ab sculpting that you can do in the comforts of your own home, ab machines are a perfect choice. Whether you want a six-pack (or more) or if you just want to lose those love handles, ab machines do the trick by targeting the right areas of your abdominal area.

Abdominal machines strengthen your core muscles, providing balance and stability to the rest of your body. Abdominal muscles affect the mobility of your arms and legs as well. A strong core can mean the difference between walking and being in a wheelchair.

Bending, turning, lifting, standing, and twisting all involve using your abs. Abdominal machines have been shown to be effective in strengthening your abs as well as other muscle groups. They are also effective for people with neck or back injuries and for whom other abdominal exercises could be harmful.

Maintaining a healthy diet is key to having fit abs. There is some dispute over how much crunch exercises actually help reduce fat; caloric intake must be reduced in order to burn away fat. However, more muscle means greater fat burning capacity.

Having strong abs opens numerous advantages, including reduced back pain, improved posture, better sports performance, better balance, and buildup of functional strength. From everyday mundane activities like tying your shoelaces to walking a tightrope, having a core is essential for a variety of situations.

Types of Ab Machines

A Sit Up Bench is a versatile piece of equipment that seems like a weight bench but not horizontal. This is useful for crunches, leg lifts, twists, and chest press.

An Ab Wheel is a small wheel with handle grips. The ab wheel tests your ability to maintain proper form and muscular tension through the midsection, including your lower back.

A Roman Chair/Hyperextension machine is great for strengthening the abdominals and the posterior chain of muscles comprising your spinal erector and glutes. Improved posture and less back pain are a benefit.

A Power Tower targets a wide range of muscles by offering push-ups, dips, knee raises, and pull-ups with a single piece of equipment.

An Ab Chair is a piece of equipment that supports the head, neck, and back during abdominal sit-ups and crunches. A padded headrest and hand grips allow for a comfortable workout without neck strain.

An Ab Glider is a machine consisting of a kneeling pad, handles, and a curved track. The arc movement is initiated by grasping the two handles to pull yourself along the track and also by twisting. This allows you to work all areas of your abdominals.

An Ab Roller targets the upper abdominals and helps to avoid neck strain while completing the exercise properly.

What to Look for in a Good Ab Machine?

So with all the products available, which one is right for you?

Some things to consider when looking for the best ab machine for your needs are:

• Durability – It’s not advisable to purchase a cheap ab machine from a website that isn’t reputable. Before buying an ab machine, check customer reviews and see how the product held up for them. Good ab machines are made of top-grade materials, such as steel.
• Versatility – Your ab machine is an investment, so you’ll want to get the most out of it. It should be able to perform a wide variety of exercises that can tone and strengthen your core muscles. That way, you don’t just get a machine that targets only your abdominal abs. It should also sculpt and build your arms, thighs and other areas.
• Size – Ab machines come in different sizes and shapes. Not all ab machines can fit within your home or exercise room.
• Ease of use – Is it difficult to mount and unmount? If so, your ab machine may not be so easy to use. You’ll be using your ab machine during your daily workout, so it’s best to find one that won’t trouble you so much. Find a perfect ab machine that’s easy to use even for beginners.
• Stability – When exercising, your safety should be your top concern, and exercise equipment manufacturers should understand this, as well. You should get an ab machine that will stay in place as you use it. It should not move or topple over, risking your well-being.

For example, whether you live in a small apartment or have an entire room to dedicate to a home gym will play a role. If you are just starting a fitness regime you may not be as comfortable doing certain exercises as a seasoned workout veteran. If you plan to use your ab machine frequently and for intense exercises, you need to know it will stand up under heavy use.

How many muscles an ab machine targets is an important factor to consider. Another question to ask yourself is which piece of equipment will motivate you the most to use it regularly. If you are prone to neck or back injury, that should be taken into account as well.

Who Benefits from Using Ab Machines?

There is an increasing focus on stronger, sexier abdominal muscles and a healthy core. So who will get the most out of using an ab machine?

• Travelers: Are you frequently on the go? Do you find you don’t have time to exercise? With options for compact ab machines, you take your equipment with you.
• Professionals: The demands of work and home leave little opportunity for many professionals to devote themselves to fitness. An ab machine in the comfort of your own home or portable for travel allows you easily to incorporate exercise into your routine.
• Athletes: Dedicated to fitness, you already know that toned abdominals and a strong core affect every other exercise you do. Most physical fitness trainers agree that abs should be worked every day.
• Those who want to avoid the gym: Don’t like dragging yourself to the gym? Hate the crowds, the commotion, or just the hassle of getting there? Purchasing your own in-home ab machine saves you all the trouble and expense of a gym membership.
• Individuals with chronic back issues: A strong core can be the difference between being able to walk and being confined to a chair. Commitment to training the abdominals and lower back can lead to greater mobility and flexibility.
• Beginners starting a fitness regime: Do you long to be in shape but are overwhelmed about getting started? Perhaps you’re intimidated by the thought of the gym or the cost of a personal trainer. Perhaps there is only a spin bike at your home that signals you’re health conscious, and now you want to add more exercise equipment. Purchasing an ab machine allows you the privacy and confidence of developing your own fitness regimen at home.
• Anyone who wants to look and feel great: Whether it’s a stunning six-pack or simply a tighter torso that you’re after, you can’t neglect training your abs.

What Are the Benefits of an Ab Machine?

Using an ab machine allows you to achieve optimum core fitness within the comfort of your own home. Eliminating the cost, time, and hassle of a gym workout, an in-home ab machine means you can choose how you wish to exercise and when.

And, unlike the small group of muscles targeted in simple exercises like crunches or planks, using an ab machine allows you to focus on a larger range of muscles.

An ab machine is designed in such a way to afford comfort and support to your body, all the while allowing other muscles to be at rest during the motion. Muscles in the neck and back are protected from strain when using ab machines. This ensures that the abdominals themselves are targeted for maximum impact and results.

Not only that, an ab machine makes exercise fun and motivational – exactly what your workout partner does. We all have good intentions about getting around to some sit-ups, but an ab machine while watching TV or listening to your favorite music ensures that you will likely do more reps and for a longer period of time than if you were simply relying on your own self-will.

How We Tested and Chose

The selection process used by Stuffoholics included significant data submitted by a number of volunteers. Many hours of careful research and scores of fitness enthusiasts were included in this process. The criteria of ab machine specialists as well as their personal preferences also factored into our list of top rated ab machines for sale.

Out of 100 of our primary choices, we have tested roughly 70 machines. This does not mean that any one of the tested units was perfect or without flaw. However, based on our process of selection we have made a list of the top 10 best ab machines.

Our volunteers focused on specific features, which included the number of operational modes, ergonomic handles, the ability to target core muscles, the capacity to perform crunches, the inclusion of other muscle groups exercised, and any other unique features offered by individual ab machines. Comfort and level of ease usage were also considered, as were the weight and portability of the individual machines. The durability of the ab machines and the warranty policies offered were also included in our analysis.

As you can see, a great deal of research, review, and care went into our selection. Based on the aforementioned focus points we sorted out the best ab machines for sale available.

Our Top 10 Ab Machines List

Stuffoholics is committed to researching, carefully testing, and tracking the top-rated selections for ab machines. Whether you are a professional or a committed do-it-yourself, you’ll find the perfect ab machine for your individual goals right here. All the models in our selection are ideal for situations which require the highest delivery, and we’ve ranked them for you by the most versatile workout, the ability to perform crunches, and an overall maximum body workout. Ergonomics such as pads, rest, and handles were also considered.

Our Pick: Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller

Before we jump into the detailed review of this fabulous product, let us tell you that why we have chosen this as our number one pick.

Why is this product our Pick?

1. We have  analyzed 46 of the most important features of the products we have selected. This product doesn’t have all of the positive features that a dream product would have, but it holds a unique combination of the most effective and positive features based on that which the quality of an ab machine can be determined.
2. The unique wide ab roller wheel design gives you the stability to work on the right areas. Rubberized and curved handles bring both non-slip and ergonomic features which make a huge difference in your workout quality. It comes with high-density foam knee pads, making the usage even more convenient. With all these exclusive features, the machine comes at an attractive price point, which makes it an ideal choice.
3. It is easily affordable, within the $50 price range, and with the most core working features in one ab machine.
4. By comparing the ratings of the products based on the 30 most recent ratings on Amazon, we found the product to have a generally good rating. During its first ten days, it already received 10 ratings. In 11 days, its second 10, another 10 ratings in 9 days, and its final set of ten ratings in 9 days. This ab machine has around 4165 customer reviews on Amazon.
5. The most unique feature that is only present in this ab machine is that the wheel of this ab roller is made with a carbon steel spring which drives the kinetic assist engine. This was designed to help you perform the motion accurately which in turn assists you to work your core more efficiently.

Detailed Review

While ab wheels have been around for decades, they are only recently gaining in popularity. The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver comes in at number one on our list of top rated ab machines with its reasonable price, quality construction, and an added feature not found in many of its competitors – an internal spring offering assistance in the reverse crunch motion.

Specification/Type:

Ab wheel, featuring wide, single roller (Dimensions are 9 x 7.9 x 9 inches; 0.96 ounces)

Durability:

Made of high-quality materials and weightier than many of its competitors, The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller is exceptionally sturdy!

Versatility:

The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller enhances abdominal strength as well as ensuring the stability of the lower back. There’s no end to the possibilities with exercises ranging from a basic floor routine to using an incline to maximize resistance and target different muscle groups Start with a few rollouts a day and work your way up to higher reps!

The best way to enhance muscle growth and carve your abdominal muscles is by building your resistance. A kinetic engine like the Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller is constructed of high-grade carbon steel. It offers resistance on the roll out as well as on the roll back to intensify your workouts!

Comfort Features:

The wheel, which is designed to be very wide, gives you stability when exercising, particularly when carving to the left or to the right to target oblique muscles. Foam knee pads come along with the roller, and rubberized hand grips come at an angle in such a way to activate your primary muscles with safety and comfort.

Advanced Features:

A carbon steel spring drives the kinetic assist engine. Similar to having a personal trainer, it enables the exercise motion to be performed more accurately. Using the ab wheel, you roll out against resistance and then roll back in with assistance. We find this feature especially desirable, particularly as it adds greater stability.

Verdict:

The Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller ranks among the best ab machines at the gym in popularity and at the same time is the best ab machine for home because of its compact size and easy usage. The Ab Carver Pro Roller ensures that the abdominals not only are forced to stabilize the body as you move forward and retract; it also strengthens your arms, lower back, and glutes. This machine is amazing for a beginner or a workout veteran! Not only that, the sheer volume of its customer reviews trumps that of other ab wheels.

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Budget Pick: Fitnessery Ab Wheel Roller for Ab Workout

This stellar pick is the mixture of economy, quality, and versatility. As you see in our research list, it comes in at the minimum price range yet contains more features than our top pick. All the great features come within a $20 price tag, which is the reason why we’ve chosen this product as the budget pick. While it doesn’t contain the lowest price, it contains the second lowest price among all the products we tested.

This ab machine is constructed with top-grade materials that ensure durability and stability for the most extreme workout sessions. The ab wheel is constructed with durable stainless steel and non-slip rubber material, as well as PVC for extended workouts. Its frequency of receiving verified ratings on Amazon is also good. It received recent first 10 ratings in seven days, second 10 ratings in just one day, and third 10 ratings in seven days. The unique feature of this ab roller is that its handles are made of EVA foam padding, providing comfort and ensuring safety during long workouts.

Detailed Review

Lighter on your wallet and lighter in weight, here’s another great asset to your gym at home! Along with a money-back guarantee, it comes in with the highest overall customer rating (4.8 out of 5 on Amazon). However, it does not have the internal kinetic spring featured in our top-rated ab machine.

Specification/Type:

Ab wheel, single roller

(Diameter of the wheel is 7 inch [17.5cm])

Durability:

Sturdy and of high quality, the Fitnessery Ab Wheel Roller features grips which are thick in comparison to the rod within the roller. According to the manufacturer, its weight limit is 485lb (220kg)! However, the wheel itself is not as heavy as that of its competitors.

Versatility:

We recommend the Fitnessery Ab Wheel Roller for strengthening the abdominals, arms, and glutes while ensuring that lower back and pelvic muscles maintain stability. It can be used on the floor or with an incline, straight up and down carving, or to the left and right to target obliques. Controlling your pelvis and maintaining correct form ensure a high-burn ab workout!

Comfort Features:

Gentle on the hands with its wide handles, The Fitnessery Ab Wheel also comes with a textured, slip-resistant knee pad for extra comfort.

Advanced Features:

None

Verdict:

Portable and easy to use, as well as very affordable, there’s a lot to love about the Fitnessery Ab Wheel! Depending on the level of experience, you can opt for a beginner’s workout all the way to more advanced positioning and more reps. Home storage is exceptional and it’s great for travel as well. Its light weight is both a plus and a minus, making it less durable than its competitor but more portable. And you simply can’t beat the price!

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Advanced Pick: Goplus Ab Power Abdominal Trainer

One of the most advanced ab machines available out of all our ratings! Check out our research report and you’ll find that this abdominal trainer features a myriad of options and settings compared to other tested products.

With the Goplus Ab Trainer, you can choose between four resistance levels and gradually increase the intensity of your workout sessions for effective fat loss. You can also wear ankle weights for an extra dynamic workout! A digital console shows the calories burned, time, and moves per minute during your exercise. This is great for ensuring you stay focused during your workout by providing the option to set goals. In addition, the handlebars have sensors which monitor heart rate.

Another cool feature is a removable pin, which allows the glider to swivel, targeting the obliques (the side muscles, or “love handles”).

The Goplus Ab Trainer is easy to assemble, slender and compact for quick storage, and is designed to work arms, legs, glutes, and torso with its reverse crunch motion.
Ideal for men and women, the machine has a maximum capacity of 250 lbs.

Detailed Review

Easily one of our favorites! Just five minutes each day on this ab machine is all you need! Kick your everyday workout routine up a notch with the unique glide/reverse crunch motion of this abdominal machine and see a strong ab, butt, and thigh form in no time! Perfect for all sexes, this exercise machine is easy to store and can be assembled without professional help.

Specification/Type:

Ab Glider, plank/upright

Materials: iron, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, foam, and nylon
Maximum height: 38″x22″x34″
Minimum height: 58″x22″x14″
Foam width: 6”

Durability:

Assembly is minimal, and the Goplus Ab Trainer is sturdy. Roller mechanism is smooth and comfortable. Slender enough to fit under your bed or to prop against a wall behind your door, the Goplus Ab Trainer is highly portable and requires little space! Some users reported handlebars could be stronger and better attached.

Versatility:

Goplus Ab Trainer offers not only a killer ab workout, it also targets the upper body, including arms, chest, shoulders, and glutes! With four levels of resistance based on the machine’s incline angle, the Goplus Ab Trainer is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment available. Featuring a computerized monitor, you can keep track of time, calories, and how many reps you do. This fantastic feature encourages you in setting and attaining your personal fitness goals!

Comfort Features:

Roller mechanism on this piece of equipment is smooth and comfortable to use. The machine is stable and easy to get on and off. Gliding movement keeps stress off back and tailbone, unlike other abdominal exercises.

Advanced Features:

Multiple resistance levels, digital console to track performance, and removable pin to swivel roller mechanism make this one amazing machine!

Verdict:

What’s not to love! Although a little pricier than other ab machines available, unique features and multiple options make the Goplus Ab Trainer a win-win for your gym at home! Thanks to its four resistance settings you can start out basic and work your way up to a super challenge. With its reverse crunch function, you’ll feel the burn in a hurry! In addition to targeting the abs, your shoulders, arms, and glutes are also marvelously toned while working out. Goplus Ab Trainer is highly rated and a great challenge!

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Best for Multipurpose Usage: Marcy Multi-Purpose Adjustable Utility Bench

Thanks to Stuffoholics’ in-depth research, we found a versatile ab machine that isn’t just for your abdominals but is ideal for an intense whole body workout. The Marcy Multi-purpose Adjustable Bench is one excellent fitness machine that combines numerous features into one product. It allows you to execute different fitness practices that assist in toning and strengthening your primary muscles. It comes with a back pad that can be adjusted, which lets you use around four bench positions specifically targeting the abdomen.

With a durable framework, this weight bench comes with padded ankle as well as knee foam rollers. Made from top-grade materials, it’s guaranteed to endure a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Although this product has the capability of multipurpose usage, it falls within a very affordable price range.

Detailed Review

Enjoy the satisfaction of working out your entire body and your core muscles from your own residence using the Marcy Adjustable Utility Bench! Added features include an adjustable pop-pin slide track made of chrome and a strong exterior that has been finished by powder-coating. The bench can be used on its own, but it also adapts to fit other fitness equipment such as Smith machines.

A moderate price point, easy assembly, and versatility allow for a total gym experience in your home!

Specification/Type:

Sit-Up/Crunch/Utility Bench

Materials: Vinyl, Foam, Steel
Dimensions: 56.7 x 26 x 43.7 inches; 39 pounds

Durability:

The bench is constructed with a durable frame made of steel, with upholstery that has been boxed at high densities. These provide support to the body. It also comes with a back pad that can be adjusted to your convenience, which offers all the options of presses, including flat, decline, incline, and more.

Versatility:

The sturdy design makes the Marcy Multipurpose Bench easy to store with its foldable components. Ideal for free weights, it is a necessity among the overall best ab machines for home. Having toned abs, legs, chest, arms and having an overall built upper body can all be achieved with this single piece for the home gym.

Comfort Features:

Deluxe boxed upholstery and sturdy, comfortable padding. Padded rollers provide a comfortable perch to support proper leg form during exercise.

Advanced Features:

The bench adjusts easily to several positions, including various inclines/declines and flat. High-density padding on the seat. Four thick thigh and ankle roller pads for providing stability to the leg as well as upper body muscle isolation. Foldable for easy storage (pull the pin at the foot end and it collapses to a height of eleven inches!)

Verdict:

A multi-use bench that allows for a variety of exercises and weight training, and won’t break your budget! If you’re looking for a basic workout/crunch bench, the Marcy Multi-Purpose Utility Bench is the perfect piece and to start your gym at home!

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Best for Beginners: Ab Wheel Roller – BY POWER GUIDANCE

Our top pick among best ab machines for those just getting started, this product is safe, comfortable, and easy to use. The Ab Wheel Roller by Power Guidance is an excellent tool for developing core strength. Not only will it improve your abdominal area and lower back, but its ergonomic design decreases the possibility of injury that can occur with other types of abdominal machines or exercises.

This ab machine is also the most lightweight piece of equipment on our list (1.5 lbs.) and boasts the lowest price. This makes it a top pick for beginners.

Detailed Review

High user ratings and a low price point make you take a second look at this ab wheel! At a glance, the movement seems easy enough, but roll out the wheel a few times and feel the burn! Tighten abs/obliques while burning calories, all in the comfort of your home!

Specification/Type:

Ab Wheel, single roller

Materials: Plastic, Steel, Rubber, Foam
2” wide x 7” in diameter; 1.76 lbs.

Durability:

The Ab Wheel Roller is designed using high-grade plastic and steel for durability, safety, and load capacity. It features a single wheel that has handles made of foam to lessen grip strain, offering control and providing essential grip comfort. The anti-slip rubber wheel remains stable on different kinds of flooring and won’t leave marks.

Versatility:

Controlling your pelvis and maintaining correct form ensure a high-burn ab workout. Resistance helps maximize muscle stimulation and sculpt your arms and lower back as well as your abs. You’ll start feeling the payoff instantly!

Comfort Features:

Innovative anti-slip rubber technology. It comes with foam-padded side handle grips for extra comfort, and a wheel that rolls forward and backward with ease using a crowned rubber tread. The product also comes with a thick knee pad made of foam, which measures around 12 X 8”.

Advanced Features:

None

Verdict:

It’s tough to go wrong with this great little wheel! The proper technique ensures that the abdominals not only are forced to stabilize the body as you move forward and retract; it also strengthens your arms, lower back, and glutes. Portable, easy to store, and simple to use enhance its rank as one of our top-rated fitness picks!

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Best Electric Ab Stimulator: ABS STIMULATOR & MUSCLE TONER

Our research at Stuffoholics shows this machine to be one of the best electric ab stimulators available, which uses EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology, designed to assist in muscle buildup by using electrical currents to stimulate your muscles. Normally, as a response to electrical signals delivered by the brain, the muscles contract — EMS duplicate this stimulation, causing the same contracting reaction of the muscles.

The Abs Stimulator and Muscle Toner is designed for the training of the abdominals, arms, legs, hips, and waist with a 12-minute usage. The 12 minutes is equivalent to 1500 meter fast running or 30 minutes of swimming. It provides six exercise modes from which to choose, adopts ten intensity levels from simple warm-up exercises to more advanced intense workouts, and finally goes to the relaxation mode. The Abs Stimulator can be used anytime and anywhere, and is small enough to be put into a briefcase.

Detailed Review

Take the work out of workout with the Ab Stimulator & Muscle Toner! Hassle-free use, just attach your fitness gear to the area where you want to target muscle buildup. To begin exercising, all you need to do is press the button. Every EMS machine lets you individually adjust them to suit your desired mode and intensity. You can also use the three abdominal stimulators simultaneously to immediately start seeing results on your abs, arms, and legs!

Specification/Type:

Electronic Stimulation includes belt and arm/leg attachments

Materials: Material of Main Body = PET resin gel
Pad: Polyacrylamide
Glycerin Remote: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic resin
EMS devices: six AAA batteries
9.6 ounces

Durability:

Main material is constructed with resin and a resin gel. The durability of the device is rated above average; adhesives need to be replaced and some users reported issues with the abdominal units malfunctioning.

Versatility:

Useful on abs, arms, legs, hips, and waist. It can be used virtually any time and any place. With ten intensity levels, you get a highly diversified choice of stimulus.

Comfort Features:

Odorless gel and non-abrasive adhesive pad. The gel pads need to be replaced after 20 uses as they lose their adhesiveness. Two AAA batteries are also required and not included.

Advanced Features:

With six exercise modes and ten intensity levels, you are sure to find the right “rhythm” for your body! Attachments are available to use on both torso and appendages.

Cautions:

Do not use while sleeping. Pregnant or nursing women should not use EMS, but they can do some other light ab exercises. Anyone with an internally transplanted electronic medical device, such as pacemakers should not use.

Verdict:

While the Ab Stimulator does not replace all the benefits of an exercise routine, Electrical Muscle Stimulation has been shown to provide results and build muscle fiber. You must be comfortable with adhesive pads sticking to your skin as you receive the electronic impulses. But if you are looking to supplement your workout routine, all while doing other activities, the Ab Stimulator can be a great choice for your needs!

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A List of 4 Other Products We Reviewed

No. 7: Core Max Ab Machine Review

Why spend all day at the gym when you can get sexy abs in just eight minutes a day, using Core Max Ab Machine’s eight muscle-burning exercises! At just above the $50 mark, you can sculpt your biceps, triceps, and shoulders, firm up those glutes, and shape your legs all with one machine. Do assisted push-ups and work your core at the same time. Even target and tone those stubborn inner thighs.

Where ordinary crunches work part of the abdominal group, the Core Max Ab Machine focuses on performing double the amount of work in the same amount of time. With a hidden, power-assisted spring, resistance is felt in both directions, similar to working with a personal trainer. Upper, middle, and lower abs along with obliques (love handle area) all feel the burn with the Core Max Fast Track technology.

As a bonus, Core Max throws in a nutritional guide, workout DVD, and Fast Results Workout Chart!

Specification/Type:

Ab Roller

(Product Dimensions: 21 x 18 x 14 inches; 11.4 pounds)

Durability:

The Core Max Ab Machine rates as very durable.

Versatility:

Eight exercises are available with this machine, focusing on each major muscle group. The machine also features three resistance settings, allowing for beginner, intermediate, and advanced workouts.

Comfort Features:

Ergonomic handles, padded roll bar, and a power-assisted spring work much like a personal trainer, relieving strain on the neck and back muscles! The cushioned seat offers superior comfort for your back and tailbone to doing standard crunches on a floor mat.

Advanced Features:

Three levels of resistance allow for a custom workout. Bonus workout DVD, workout chart, and nutritional guide are included with purchase.

Verdict:

Based on the sale price and reviews, the Core Max comes in on the higher end of our price list, and the middle of the road in reviews. We recommend this piece of equipment for you if you are just getting started in a fitness routine, or for those who could use the added support of assisted push-ups and crunches in your gym at home.

No. 8: Sweet Sweat Portable Ab Roller Review

Get a flat, toned tummy in no time with the ultimate core-strengthening roller! Not only will you enjoy stronger abs, you’ll be able to build and tone the muscles on your back as well as your arms at the same time. With this roller, you can work out your core muscles anywhere but still get the best results!

The Sweet Sweat Ab Roller features a wide wheel for more stability and better control, coming in at 2” thick, double the size of many competitors. This provides greater stability, letting you move freely without restriction for a more intense workout.

Sleek design, non-slip grips and a cushioned knee pad are all part of the package with Sweet Sweat’s Ab Roller. Sweet Sweat is so sure you’ll love their Ab Roller, they offer a one-year money-back guarantee if you’re not fully satisfied with your purchase!

Specification/Type:

Ab Wheel, single roller, extra wide

(Dimensions: 2” wide, 5.78” diameter wheel, 3 lbs)

Durability:

Highly durable, the Sweet Sweat Ab Roller is nearly double the width of many competitors’ ab wheels. It features a single wheel of approximately a half foot diameter and is equipped with soft, comfortable grips to minimize hand fatigue and maximize control.

Versatility:

The wider wheel makes rolling out at an angle more feasible and stable, allowing for targeting of obliques/side muscles. Naturally, resistance maximizes muscle stimulation and sculpts your arms, glutes and lower back in addition to abdominals!

Comfort Features:

Ergonomically designed non-slip grips take away any hand discomfort, letting you give it your all in every single workout. Removable handles are perfect for convenient storage and easy mobility for home, office, or travel. With the purchase of a Sweet Sweat Ab Roller comes a soft foam knee pad that can cushion your knees against hard surfaces in your home gym. The rubber treaded wheel is compatible with most flooring.

Verdict:

Budget-friendly and easy to use, Stuffoholics recommends the Sweet Sweat because it won’t pinch your purse!

No. 9: ITERY Muscle Toner, Abdominal workouts Fitness Portable Ab Machine Review

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the benefits of a workout without the time, sweat, and fatigue with the ITERY Muscle Toner! Easy to use, just fix the gear to the muscle groups you wish to strengthen. Press the button to start the exercise and let the ITERY do the work!

Stuffoholics discovered this electric ab stimulator machine, adopting EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology, which builds muscle fiber through stimulating the muscles with the use of electrical currents through the skin. Normally, as a response to electrical signals delivered by the brain, the muscles contract — EMS duplicate this stimulation, causing the same contracting reaction of the muscles.

The ITERY Muscle Toner is designed for training the abdominals, arms, legs, hips, and waist with a 12-minute usage, automatically shutting off after the 12-minute interval. It provides six exercise modes from which to choose and 10 intensity levels. Use the three abdominal stimulators simultaneously to immediately start seeing results on your abs, arms, and legs!

Specification/Type:

Electronic Stimulation Machine

Dimensions: (8 x 1 x 8), 10 oz.
Devices: six AAA batteries (not included)

Durability:

Equipment consists of an abdominal toning belt and arm/leg attachments. Gel pads hold the stimulus pack in place.

Versatility:

You can wear the ITERY Muscle Toner under your clothing and exercise your muscles on the job, while reading, doing housework, watching a movie, shopping, or even during a trip. Useful on your abs, arms, legs, hips, and waist, the ITERY Muscle Toner can be used virtually any time and any place. With ten intensity levels, you get a highly diverse choice of stimulus!

Comfort Features:

The frequency of vibration and stimulus strength are adjustable. The machine will shut off automatically after 12 minutes of training. Suggested use is two or three times daily to see results within two months. (Two AAA batteries are also required and not included).

Advanced Features:

With six exercise modes and ten levels of intensity, you are sure to find just what works for you! Attachments are available to use on both torso and appendages.

Cautions:

Avoid using when sleeping. Pregnant or nursing women should not use EMS. Anyone with electronic medical devices that have been inserted internally, such as pacemakers, should not use. Anyone with skin allergies should avoid this product.

Verdict:

This particular product received a disproportionate amount of negative reviews based on the quality of material and craftsmanship. The price point is a little higher and there is no money-back guarantee listed on the site.

No. 10: CHARMINER EMS Abs Trainer Review

All you need to do is fit the gel pads to your body and watch this go to work! The CHARMINER Electric Ab Stimulator machine uses EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology, which builds muscle fiber by using electrical currents to stimulate your muscles through the skin. Normally, as a response to electrical signals delivered by the brain, the muscles contract — EMS duplicate this stimulation, causing the same contracting reaction of the muscles.

The CHARMINER EMS Abs Trainer is designed for the training of the abdominals, arms, and legs, with a 20-minute usage, one to two times per day. The results of its stimulus are equivalent according to the manufacturer to 1500 meters of running, 60 minutes of sit-ups and a half hour of swimming. There are six modes and 10 intensity levels available from which to choose.

The CHARMINER can be used anytime and anywhere, and is small enough to be packed into a large purse or briefcase.

This particular EMS model is at the upper end of the price spectrum compared to competitors, but still affordable at just over $40. Unlike the other EMS ab machines we reviewed, the overall usage time is 20 minutes per day per muscle group.

Specification/Type:

Electronic Stimulation Machine

Main Material: PET resin gel
Pad Material: Polyacrylamide
Glycerin Remote: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic
EMS Device: six AAA batteries (not included)

Durability:

Equipment consists of an abdominal toning belt and arm/leg attachments. Gel pads hold the stimulus pack in place.

Versatility:

You can wear the CHARMINER Muscle Toner unobtrusively under your clothing while on the job, cleaning, shopping, or even during travel! Useful on your abs, arms, and legs, the CHARMINER Muscle Toner can be used virtually any time and any place. With ten intensity levels, you get a highly diverse choice of stimulus.

Comfort Features:

The frequency of vibration and stimulus strength are adjustable. A nice feature is the machine automatically shuts off after 20 minutes of training. Suggested use is once or twice daily to see results within six months.

Advanced Features:

With six exercise modes and ten levels of intensity, the CHARMINER offers a wide range of choice for various muscle groups. Attachments are available to use on both the core and on appendages; you can even wear three at a time!

Cautions:

Do not use while sleeping. Pregnant or nursing women should not use EMS. Anyone with an internally transplanted electronic medical device, such as pacemakers should not use. Anyone with skin allergies should avoid this product.

Verdict:

Strong reviews and affordable pricing make the CHARMINER worthy of a second glance! When using EMS, it is suggested that you begin at a lower intensity until you see how your muscles respond, and then work your way up.

A List of Other Products We Tested

• Wonder Core Smart Fitness Equipment, Black/Green>>>4 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• Ab Rocket Abdominal Trainer>>>4 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• AB Circle Pro Home Fitness Machine and DVD>>>4 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• Cap Barbell Unisex Adult Ab Trainer>>>4 Positive Features as seen on our research report
• Ab Roller Evolution>>>4 Positive Features as seen on our research report

Care and Maintenance of Ab Machines

Your favorite fitness equipment is like a good friend. You want to keep it in as good of shape as it keeps you so it will be around for a while. Here are a few tips to maintain the pieces in your gym at home:

• Light soiling – Over time, your gym equipment can get soiled. To fix this, you need to wipe down the upholstery with effective cleaning products or a gentle DIY solution of 10% liquid dish soap and 90% warm water. For tougher stains, a bristled brush can be used.

• Upholstery – Your gym equipment can look old and used the more that you use them. To restore some of its shine and luster, apply a decent coat of furniture wax to the surface of the upholstery. After 30 seconds, lightly buff the surface using a clean cloth.

• Paint restoration – Usually, semi-flat enamel paint or powder coating is used to cover iron weights and dumbbells. Over time, enamel gradually wears down, resulting in oxidation. To clean, you can use the same light solution of 10% liquid dish soap and 90% warm water. Be sure to wipe dry immediately after to avoid rusting. The same regimen can be used for steel weights and dumbbells.