The question many people ask when considering the purchase of such a simple fitness tool is, does it work? In the case of the ab roller, many people wonder how could a wheel with a steel bar and two handles possibly make someone more fit? Let us take a brief moment to answer those two questions.
Firstly, ‘does it work’? YES! The ab roller does indeed work, but the manner in which it works leads us directly into the second question; how can it make someone fit? While the name ‘ab roller’ leads most people to believe that it is merely a tool for developing sexy, six-pack abs, it does so much more than developing stronger abdominal muscles. In fact, the ab roller engages the hips (hip flexors), shoulders, arms, upper & lower back and core --- including the deep spinal stabilizers, such as the transverse abdominus… the six-pack muscles.
Key considerations when choosing Best Ab Roller
Key considerations when choosing an Ab Roller
Although the principal design for all ab rollers is fundamentally the same; wheel, steel bar with grip handles, there are some distinctive features in the brands we’ve listed below. For example, there are models with one wheel, two wheels, wide wheels, thin wheels, cushion grips, ergonomic grips and even a model with a spring to assist the user with getting back to the starting position. Additionally, while primarily designed for home use, you might consider a model that disassembles for travel.
If you are deconditioned or haven’t exercised in a while, you shouldn’t be surprised if you are unable to roll all the way out while in a plank position. By starting from a modified push up position (on your knees) and rolling out just a foot or so, then returning to the start position and repeating ten times should have you becoming a pro in no time.
Read More| Brand | Pros | Cons | Where to Purchase |
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Elite Ab Wheel
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Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Roller
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Key considerations when choosing Best Ab Roller
Key considerations when choosing an Ab Roller
Size
While all three of the ab rollers we reviewed are relatively small, if travel or storage is a concern, we suggest that you consider a model that is capable of disassembling before choosing one that’s available for sale.
Number of wheels
For those just starting out with an exercise routine, balancing on a single, thinner wheel may seem a bit difficult at first, but with practice that feeling will soon go away. However, most people want to start out feeling more comfortable in their ab rolling routine, so that is why we listed three great options for added stability.
Materials
Like most products made today, ab rollers are made of adequate materials --- primarily plastic, rubber and sometimes a little steel. Perhaps the one thing to be most concerned with, especially if you have wood floors, is how the wheels are made. Clearly, plastic wheels do not offer the same grip on wooded floors (and LVT) that rubber wheels do. Additionally, even some of the hard rubber wheels like those on the Valeo Fit ab roller can mark floors with a smooth finish.
As for handles, rubber is more comfortable than plastic, and yet while foam is more comfortable than rubber, foam will not hold up. TIP: no matter which ab roller you choose, the use of proper fitting exercise gloves will make the experience so much more enjoyable, not to mention it will cut down on the calluses.
Handle Design
Ergonomic handles may relieve pressure on your wrists but may place additional stress on your shoulders.
Resistance
For those either new to exercise or those who have not exercised in a while, additional resistance should not be something to concern yourself with during your initial ab roller purchase. And while some ab rollers provide an internal spring mechanism claiming to provide some assistance with the concentric portion of the exercise, if you are in physically fit enough to push through the resistance while rolling out, you are most likely capable of enough of pulling the device back on your own as well.
Accessories
Some ab rollers come with accessories like downloadable workout plans, foam knee supports and resistance bands. While these are accessories can add to the value of the ab roller, each of these accessories can be purchased separately. So, choose an ab roller that best suits your needs and then grab a yoga mat for knee support, your resistance bands to add additional resistance and download an app.
TIP: Keep your exercise area clean of debris; imagine rolling out and hitting a piece of paper --- let’s just say it wouldn’t end well. Also, keep the wheel clean and free of dust, and if you have longer hair always be sure to keep it pulled back so that you don’t get it caught up in the wheel as you are rolling out or back in.