13 best ab machines and equipment for home gyms, per experts

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With the new year on the horizon, it’s inevitable for us to want to hop on the fitness grind. With this, comes the desire for leaner, more defined abs.

To help you feel good (and boost your core) you may want to consider an ab machine. For one, it’s great for toning and two, will help complete your home gym.

Much like your tried-and-true equipment — from treadmills and ellipticals to bikes and rowing machines — ab machines come in many varieties.

However, along with our favorite matching workout sets and dumbbells, you can pick up smaller equipment for your space — making your exercise routine elevated and customized to you.

“As a fitness trainer, abs are the No. 1 most requested muscle group from my clients,” Kat B., obe Fitness instructor, told the New York Post (a boutique fitness company we reviewed and loved, BTW). “While ‘six-pack abs’ might be desired among most fitness go-ers, building a strong core should be equally as sought-after.”

What’s more, a solid core helps to prevent injuries, minimizes back pain, improves posture and makes day-to-day activities easier,” she adds. The benefits are endless!

Ahead, we rounded up the 13 best ab machines and equipment for you to try, per our two fitness experts.

“For someone who is very new with the dynamic movement of flexion (crunches), this could help keep it out of your neck and stay in your core,” Ashley Borden, a celebrity fitness instructor who has worked with Christina Aguilera and Ryan Gosling, told the Post. “A common mistake when doing any type of flexion is pulling from your neck instead of your core pulling into the floor (right above your belly button).”

She notes this equipment should not be an excuse to move in a lazy form and mentally check out while flailing your body around. “The ultimate goal is to phase out of this equipment and just use your body,” Borden adds.

Pros:

• Helps stabilize neck, so you can electively train your abdominal muscle
• Back is optimally protected through the gentle movement
• Offers various training options —fully train upper, lower, and side abdominal muscles

Cons:

• A bit more difficult to put together; assembly took some shoppers up to 20 minutes

“The ab wheel is a way more advanced piece of equipment,” Borden adds. “It’s basic-looking with a gigantic challenge on the core.” Not to mention, the ab wheel works everything: glutes, abs, lats, obliques, shoulders. 

What’s more, Kat B. also recommends an ab wheel for your home gym. “This simple but effective contraption forces you to keep tension across your core for the entirety of the exercise, working the deep, intrinsic core muscles,” she explains.” Bonus: You’ll also work your back and shoulders.

Pros:

• When you buy our Ab Wheel, you also get a free foam knee pad to cushion your knees against hard floors
• This wheel is 3” thick (bigger than most brands) which provides superior stability

Cons:

• Reviewers say this can be challenging; you have to use a lot of abdominal, arm and back muscles strength to use correctly

For an ab machine, you can’t go wrong with this Amazon Choice: the Sunny Health & Fitness Hyperextension Roman Ab Chair. Per Kat, you want to “make sure that it won’t tumble over when using it, as this could potentially lead to injury.”

Not only is this model sturdy, but it’s designed with non-slip handles while you work on your core. Plus, it’s well-priced at just $75.

Pros:

• Bench can be adjustable for different height requirement
• Strong and durable; allowing a maximum weight capacity 250lbs
• Folds virtually flat for convenient and easy storage

Cons:

• Some reviewers mention that this machine is smaller, and less sturdy than equipment at the gym, making it a bit challenging to use

For achieving many different fitness goals, you can’t go wrong with Trideer’s Swiss Ball. Also known as a medicine ball, it’s one of the best pieces of equipment, per Kat B.

“It offers versatility and challenges your instability, helping to build your core from the inside out,” she adds. “Use this for planks, crunches, weighted leg lifts and so much more!”

Pros:

•  Available in five sizes and five colors
• Versatility; use this ball for an ab workout, pilates, yoga, pregnancy gymnastics or various other low-impact exercises
• Burst resistant if punctured, thus reducing the risks of injury

Cons:

• Reviewers mention needing to refill the ball when using it frequently
• Some people say the pump that the ball comes with is slow, and an air compressor works better

Along with finding a sturdy ab machine, Kat B. also recommends one that’s versatile. “If you can use it for multiple exercises or work multiple muscle groups at one time, it’s an A+ in my book,” she notes.

The Core Max 2.0 is just that, offering several ways to work out your core and other parts of your body. For $90, it’s a splurge that’s worth it.

Pros:

• Customize your routine with 3 resistance levels
• Core Max 2.0 comes completely assembled
• Comes complete with a nutritional guide and digital workout videos to download

Cons:

• At 13 pounds, this machine does weigh a bit more than some others
• Some users have noted that it’s not very stable on the ground

Similarly, Fitlaya Fitness’ Core & Abdominal Trainer is stellar for being easy to use. “When looking at the ab machine, make sure that mounting and dismounting would be accessible for you,” Kat offers.

This model is a no-frills trainer that, undoubtedly, will complete your home gym. Simply use your abs to pull you up and down the curve track. If you need a workout that feels less like a chore, and more like a game, we recommend this one.

Pros:

• Smart LCD training monitor circularly shows the calories burnt, workout time and repetitions
• Four different training height levels can be adjusted to meet different needs

Cons:

• Close reading of the directions required for proper assembly

Meet the dumbbells that are serviced to help you tone your core. For just $45, these heavy-duty wheels offer much versatility and precision to your workouts. Try your hand at planking with these, or place them below your ankles to tone your lower ab region.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable — you can easily fit these in your backpack for on-the-go workouts
• Ergonomic foam handles for ultimate comfort

Cons:

• Perhaps not as advanced as other multi-functioning machines
• One reviewer noted “these won’t make you a body builder, but they will help you gain functional strength and maintain flexibility.”

Though technically not an ab machine, these sliders will still leave you with that good burn. Workout sliders can assist in a wide variety of core strengthening exercises, such as squats, slips, push-ups, and planks. Muvin’s are made from an impact-resistant thermoplastic resin that works on any surface, even carpet or hardwood floors, with an anti-skid surface to prevent accidents while sliding

Pros:

• No assembly nessecary
• Easy to pack away and travel with
• A true body weight workout, great for more experienced exercisers
• Many options for incorporating them into your workout routine

Cons:

• Some shoppers say that they do not glide very easily and require someone with ample strength to use properly

Best Ab Workout Chair: Ab Doer 360

Another full-fledged machine, the Ab Doer 360 is also a full-bodied workout machine to exercise your entire body from a seated position. Not only does it add some color to your fitness space but its Core Support Column helps reduce injury.

Pros:

• The seat it a great gentle option for beginners, older people, or those with bad knees, back problems, etc.
• Helps promote better posture during workouts
• Comes complete with an Instructional DVD, three Workout DVDs perfect for all fitness levels, Quick-Start Guide and Healthy Eating Plan

Cons:

• Assembly was a bit difficult for some shoppers
• Pricer than other ab machines on the market
• Some shoppers noted that the arms could use more padding

Save money and space! This seven-in-1 Ab Workout Kit should cover all the basics. The multi-function system includes an ab roller wheel, resistance ban, two push-up bars, a knee pad, and two handles grips. Suitable for beginners and advanced exercisers alike.

Pros:

• No assembly required
• Enjoy the versatility of tailoring workouts with different requirements
• Kit is small enough to pack away and travel with so you can always have your workout equipment nearby

Cons:

• Requires users to plan their own workout moves and regimen
• Some shoppers say the knee pad is a bit thin and lacks support

If you want to invest in a heavy-duty set, look no further than Body Solid’s Ab Back Machine. Reigning in Kat’s recommended stability versatility, ease of use benchmarks, this home gym staple is effective and won’t let you down.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use pop-pin that allows adjustments to control the user’s range-of-motion
• This is a more advanced ab machine —  used both at home and for commercial use

Cons:

• While well-engineered, this is certainly a more expensive option and bigger investment
• Buyers say that this machine ships in two boxes
• Requires detailed assembly (some buyers reported assembly taking up to two hours)

Forget planks, let’s have some fun while we workout!

Meet the Stealth — a groundbreaking video game integrated core trainer. The machine carefully calibrates with your phone’s motion detector to recognize every movement you make into gameplay actions on the screen of your smartphone. Instead of counting your reps, compete for the highest score.

Pros:

• The Stealth Fitness app is free and includes 4 games: “Speed Gliding,” “Color Chase,” “Galaxy Adventure,” and “Space Escape”
• Track your daily progress and see how you measure up with a real-time Worldwide Leaderboard
• Create and compete in challenges with friends and family

Cons:

• The games do not have a range of settings to tailor the difficulty level
• Some users suggest it is overpriced considering the size and material, but the games do make the difference

We love SeanLeeCore’s Ab Trainer Machine for a number of reasons, notably for its sleek white and lavender color that’s hard not to love. The end loops — where you’d position your feet — ensure that you won’t slip, while the handles and controls are ergonomic, too.

Pros:

• Easy-to-read digital workout counter conveniently keeps track of the calories burnt, workout time, and workout reps
• Two slope adjustment and five resistance adjustment options
• Deigned to take stress off the back and neck
• Available in pink and green, so you can add a pop of color to your home gym

Cons:

• One reviewer noted that this machine may be better suited for smaller/shorter people

For more content, check out the New York Post Shopping section.

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