The Pros And Cons Of Different Ab Exercisers

For anyone that’s bought into the trend and tried to achieve that superhero physique, it quickly becomes apparent that getting and maintaining a six-pack is almost impossible. Having your abs poking out from underneath your skin isn’t necessarily about strength or fitness levels. It’s more about reducing your body fat percentage to the single digits. Any doctor will tell you this is not particularly healthy and most certainly isn’t something that can be sustained over long periods. 

We want to suggest something that may sound radical but really should be common sense. Forget about achieving six-pack abs. It’s purely aesthetic and isn’t a reflection of fitness levels. However, that doesn’t mean you should neglect training your abdominal muscles. Strong abdominal muscles are one of the best ways to avoid injuries. 

When completing compound moves like back squats or deadlifts, your abdominal muscles help to keep your back straight and protect your spine. Your core muscles help stabilise your body when performing lifts. A strong core assists with good posture and is central to sporting performance.

So whether you work in an office and want to maintain good posture while sitting or work a more labour-intensive job, a strong core is essential for a fit, pain-free body. 

Leave the six-packs to the actors and concentrate on ensuring your core is fit and healthy. In today’s article, GetLocal will look at some of the best home workout ab exercisers. We will look at each exerciser individually and discuss the pros and cons for each. By the end of this article, hopefully, you’ll be able to select the right ad exerciser for your home workouts.

Ab Exerciser Types

1. The Ab Wheel Roller
2. Sit-up Foot Anchor 
3. Two Set Ab Roller
4. Core Sliders
5. Decline Ab Workout Bench
6. Multi-Purpose Power Tower
7. Hanging Ab Straps
8. Exercise Balls
9. Half Balls

The Ab Wheel Roller

No home gym should be without a decent Ab Wheel roller. These inexpensive pieces of kit are quiet and easy to use. Moreover, they are small, meaning they can be easily stored when not in use.

The ab roller is portable and affordable compared to some other exercise equipment. Most ab rollers come in one piece meaning no construction is required. For exercise equipment, ab rollers are very light, so you won’t have to worry about high delivery costs. 

Ab rolling can be incorporated into various workouts and is a great way to finish an intense exercise session. 

Pros of the Ab Wheel Roller 

• Easy to use 
• Portable and light 
• Very quiet, so perfect for those who complete their work-out late at night 

Cons of the Ab Wheel Roller 

• Not suitable for Absolute Beginners as it does require some ab strength to use 
• It can be uncomfortable on the knees when used for an extended period

Sit-up Foot Anchor

Speaking of small portable pieces of exercising equipment, the sit-up foot anchor is great for home gyms without a lot of space. Probably the most simple of all ab exercisers, the foot anchor hooks a person’s feet allowing them to complete a perfect sit-up. The foot anchor can also help isolate their abs during crunches.

Pros Of A Foot Anchor 

• Most models are adjustable, so they are perfect for all-sized feet 
• Usually available at a low cost 

Cons Of A Foot Anchor 

• Not an exceptionally versatile piece of equipment 
• Once your abs get sufficiently strong, you may no longer need this piece of kit

Two Set Ab Roller

A twist on the traditional ab roller, the two-step uses the same movement. However, the rolling mechanism is in two parts. A person holds one roller in each hand and pushes it out from there.

Because you can complete the exercises with both hands, this kit allows additional versatility. Along with ad rollouts, you can complete exercises like planks and push-ups. Therefore this is an excellent piece of equipment for those with more exercise experience.

Pros Of The Two-Set Ab Rollers 

• They are extremely portable 
• Usually relatively inexpensive 
• Allow for a greater diversity of exercises 

Cons Of The Two-Set Ab Rollers 

• Like a traditional roller, if used for a long time, a person’s knees can become uncomfortable 
• This piece of kit isn’t suitable for beginners

Core Sliders

We said we weren’t going to focus on fad exercising equipment, and core sliders have been accused of being little more than a fitness trend. But we disagree with this assessment. Core sliders are an excellent way to add variety to your abdominal exercises. Great for those with a hardwood floor, core sliders work like a roller, except they don’t roll but slide. This changes the movement and targets different muscles within your abdominal muscle group. The sliders can also be pushed with your feet which puts a greater emphasis on your lower abdominals. 

Pros Of Core Sliders

• Very compact and portable 
• A budget-friendly option 

Cons Of Core Sliders 

• Depending on the material used, you do run the risk of scratching your hardwood floor 
• Some sliders can be a little bit small, making them difficult to use on your feet

Ab Workout Bench

The decline ab workout bench is probably one of the oldest and best ab workout machines. Put simply; this equipment is a decline bench with an anchor for your feet that allows you to complete challenging sit-ups. These machines are great for targeting both your upper and lower abdominal muscles.

Pros Of A Decline Ab Workout Bench 

• They can be adjusted for more comfortable reps 
• A challenging workout for both your upper and lower abdominal muscles 

Cons Of A Decline Ab Workout Bench 

• They don’t allow for a variety of exercises 
• They can be a little bit on the pricey side

Multi-Purpose Power Tower

These power Towers aren’t often associated with abdominal exercises. Usually, they are used for dips and pull-ups. However, they allow a user to complete leg-ups targeting the lower abdominal muscles.

Pros Of A Multi-Purpose Power Tower 

• Allows for a variety of exercises 
• Sturdy and strong

Cons Of A Multi-Purpose Tower 

• Bulky and awkward to move 
• A home requires a high ceiling to make the most of a Power Tower

Hanging Ab Straps

Okay, we may again be wandering into the territory of the fad equipment here. However, hanging ab straps are becoming increasingly popular and may become an essential piece of home gym equipment. 

Hanging straps are looped around a pull-up bar, allowing a user to complete leg ups and knee ups. 

Pros Of Hanging Ab Straps 

• Great for targeting your lower abdominal muscles 
• The unsecured nature of straps puts extra stress on your abdominal muscles

Cons Of Hanging Ab Straps 

• You need a pull-up bar to use these straps 
• They can be uncomfortable if used for long periods

Exercise Balls

Exercise balls are up there with the power rack when it comes to versatility. They can be used for a considerable amount of movements. The unstable nature of an exercise ball also forces your stabilisation muscles to work that little harder, putting additional stress on your abdominal muscles.

Pros Of Exercise Balls 

• Offers a wide range of exercise variety 
• Unstable nature puts extra stress on your abdominal muscles

Cons Of Exercise Balls 

• Specific exercises may put undue stress on your lower back 
• They will need to be regularly inflated

Half Balls

A half ball acts like an exercise ball but offers a much more stable and robust base. Half balls are great for helping to improve balance and stability while allowing an individual to perform a variety of abdominal exercises. 

Pros Of Half Balls 

• They provide a stable, anti-slip base
• They are usually durable and sturdy 

Cons Of Half Balls 

• They can be challenging to inflate 
• Not particularly portable

Hopefully, by looking at the various types of ad exercisers available, you’ve been able to find something right for your home workout or gym. Whatever piece of exercising equipment you select, always discover local. GetLocal makes it easy to compare and contrast ad exercisers between different Irish retailers. With GetLocal, you can get the best exercise equipment at the best possible price.