Unfortunately, there are no magic potions or pills to help you lose weight overnight and the same is true about getting into shape and keeping fit. The good news, however, is that there are literally thousands of exercise aids and machines to help you get your body into shape. From head to toe, there is some piece of equipment that can help you improve your physique, strength and fitness but probably the most popular are those that focus on the abdominal muscles.
There is a truly vast array of abdominal toning and tightening aids on the market ranging from traditional medicine balls to battle ropes and from resistance bands to the good old hula hoop but covering everything available would take an article rivalling “War and Peace” in length. For that reason, I will limit this piece to exercise machines and, in particular, the best ab machine.
Basic Choices
The biggest selling abdominal exercise aids today are Ab Wheels. These are simple devices, basically a wheel with a rod through the center, which are used in a variety of exercises to tone the midsection and abs as well as to increase upper body strength. However, these are not easy to use and require a degree of strength and fitness in order to use them and are not for beginners. As well as this, there are literally thousands of makes and models on the market so I will leave these for another day and concentrate on the best ab machines available.
- Sit-Up Bench. These will be familiar to anyone who has ever visited a gym and are probably the most common device used for abdominal muscle training. As the name suggests, they are used for sit-ups which strengthens core muscle. Adjustable Sit-Up Benches are the best option as the degree of difficulty can be increased according to requirements and they can also be used for crunches and leg-raises.
- Ab Chair. An abdominal workout device that looks exactly like a chair but with attachments for leg and abdominal exercising. The Ab Chair uses a special folding mechanism to simulate crunches but the abdominal muscles must be used to lift the legs. The Ab Chair is particularly useful for beginners.
- Ab Glider. Looking like a rocking horse without the rocker or a bicycle without wheels, an Ab Glider combines two basic motions to strengthen the abdominal muscles and obliques.
- Ab Roller. Using a rocking motion, the Ab Roller supports the back and neck during crunches. It is a fairly basic but useful device for developing abdominal muscles and good for beginners, the elderly and the infirm.
- Roman Chair. Also called a Hyperextension machine, the Roman Chair is really designed to strengthen the lower back but is also good for the abdominal muscles. This is a serious piece of equipment for serious people who not only want a flat stomach but a strong back and legs.
- Power Tower. Not designed specifically for abdominal exercises but Power Towers are very effective for that purpose. Versatile and good for upper and lower body training as well as for hanging leg-raises which target the abdominal area.
Top 10 Ab Machines Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Equipment Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. XMark 12 Position Adjustable Ab Bench XM-7608 | Sit-Up Bench | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Powerline Roman Chair/Back Hyperextension | Roman Chair/ Hyperextension machine | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 3. Stamina Hyper Bench | Hyperextension machine | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 4. XMark Power Tower with Dip Station and Pull Up Bar XM-4434 | Power Tower | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 5. Body-Solid Pro-Style Commercial AB Board | Sit-Up Bench | $$$ | 4.3 |
 | 6. Marcy Roman Chair | Roman Chair/ Hyperextension machine | $ | 4.2 |
 | 7. Phoenix 99255 Adjustable Slantboard | Sit-Up Bench | $ | 4.2 |
 | 8. Body Vision PT600 Power Tower | Power Tower | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 9. Ab Lounge XL | Ab Chair | $$$ | 4.1 |
 | 10. Powertec Fitness P-HC10 45-Degree Dual Hyperextension | Roman Chair/ Hyperextension machine | $$$$ | 4.1 |
Top 3 Best Ab Machine Reviews
1. XMark 12 Position Adjustable Ab Bench
Whether you are a complete newcomer to physical and ab training or a well-toned athlete, the XMark XM-7608 is a perfect Sit-Up Bench. There are twelve vertical settings for the bench which allow you to adjust the amount of strain and tension on the abdominal muscles according to the height setting you select. Designed with abdominal training in mind, the XM-7608 does exactly what it is supposed to do.
The bench is strong and durable and compares favorably with ab benches found in gyms but at a more reasonable cost. Sit-ups are hard work but the XM-7608 makes life easier as the bench is well-padded and comfortable and the large vinyl covered leg rollers are also well-cushioned to avoid discomfort on the shins, knees and ankles. A nice safety feature is the handle grip at the rollers which makes getting on and off the bench easier and safer.
It may take me some time before I’m capable of doing a decent number of sit-ups at the highest setting but at least I’m making progress and the XM-7608 will help me get there. There are a number of top quality machines for developing and improving your abs but the XMark XM-7608 gets my vote as the best ab machine that I have tried out.
2. Powerline Roman Chair/Back Hyperextension
You basically get two machines in one with the PCH24X from Powerline. As a Hyperextension machine for strengthening the back muscles, the PCH24X is one of the best but it is also a great device for abdominal and hamstring training. Although compact (46 x 25 inches) it is extremely sturdy as it is made from heavy gauge steel and can support even larger people up to about 250 pounds with ease and its broad base makes it a very stable piece of equipment.
Although my primary concern was to strengthen and tone my abdominal muscles, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the Powerline PCH24X. Many people are too focused on developing a “six-pack” and ignore other vital areas that should also be looked after. A strong back and legs are also vital to overall physical fitness and the PCH24X is an excellent machine for all of these areas of the body.
If you want a little bit more than just a flat, hard stomach then the Powerline PCH24X is an excellent investment for what it delivers and deserving of further investigation.
3. Stamina Hyper Bench
There are no frills or fuss about the Stamina Hyper Bench. Simple to assemble, simple to use and very basic, the Hyper Bench is a Hyperextension machine that doesn’t pretend to be anything else but is also excellent for ab training as there are many crunch positions that can be used.
The footrest and backrest are easily adjustable to suit your height and the angle of the bench can be altered to increase or decrease the difficulty level. The Hyper Bench is suitable for most people and for beginners as well as the more experienced users.
For increased back and abdominal strength, the Stamina Hyper Bench is a great choice for a machine at the lower end of the price scale and ideal for use in homes where space is tight as it can be quickly folded and stored away.
