Ab Coaster: Is it Really the Fast Track to Great Abs?
Written: Oct 17 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tones my abs, easy to use
Cons: Needs more weight settings, lack of handle to turn seat
The Bottom Line: I would recommend Ab Coaster because it has toned my abs and doesn't require too much time to use.
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| jetbluefan1's Full Review: Ab Coaster System |
Recently my gym became the home to some new workout equipment. I was absolutely ecstatic when I walked in one day and found a host of new, interesting machines just waiting to be tried out. About half of them didn't even look like machines - I couldn't tell the front from the back for the life of me! But one machine did happen to have a certain pull: the Ab Coaster. You've likely seen commercials for it on TV, and you have probably even sat through an infomercial on a lazy Sunday afternoon but just don't want to admit it. But I will! And I will even admit that I wanted to try it out. Well, now that my (overpriced) gym is a proud owner the machine, my chance finally arrived.
The Ab Coaster is a Roman chair-like contraption which is good for one thing and one thing only: your abs. At a price mark of about $400, it's considerably cheaper than other abdominal machines, but it's an investment nonetheless. Silver, black, and curvy, the machine is sleek and has a contemporary, cool feel to it. The structure is made completely of steel, but the only parts which touch your body are made of non-sticky vinyl. The kneel-seat is well padded as are the elbow wrests, and the gripping contraptions are well placed and sturdy.
The way the Ab Coaster works is rather straight forward and simple. Basically, all you have to do is kneel on the machine's seat, then use your legs and abs to pull the seat up on the curved track. This track is curved in a way that mimics the movement of one's spine, so back pain should not be an issue when using the machine. The machine focuses on a combination of a crunch workout and a hanging leg workout - two of the easiest and most effective ab workouts from my own experience.
The machine has three positions: middle, left, and right. The seat can be adjusted to turn in these three directions, which correspond to a certain part of your abdominal area. Keeping the seat middle aligned works out the front part of your abs, while turning the seat right or left works out the "love handles" and oblique - two major problem areas for many people. If you use the machine correctly, you will feel a concentration on the lower abs as well, which is an area that isn't easily worked out by traditional crunches.
In my experience, I have found that the Ab Coaster does a very nice job at giving my core a workout. I remember the first time I tried the machine, I thought I wouldn't last on it for more than two or three minutes. However, I have become acclimated to the machine over the last few weeks, and I am finding it easier to use - though just as effective. I will warn you that it's very easy to "cheat" when using the machine, such as being able to use your arms to pull yourself up. However, if you use the machine the right way, you should continue to feel a burn even as the machine becomes a part of your daily routine.
From my observations, the machine has certainly made a difference in the appearance and health of my abs. Though that region has always been toned on my body, I have found that the machine has done a better job of "tightening" things up and making them more distinct. I use the machine for about ten minutes about four to five times a week, and this alone has made the difference. In fact, I dropped my traditional ab workout, which included five sets of bicycles and leg lifts, and have switched most of my ab routine to the Ab Coaster (though I complement it with an oblique-specific machine as well).
If you want to challenge yourself, the Ab Coaster has space underneath the seat to add weights - up to 20 pounds on each side. If you are a beginner at ab workouts, then this feature is especially nice for you since it allows you to gradually work up your abdominal stamina. More experienced people - such as me - will wish that they could add even more weight to make the workout more challenging. This is definitely one of my biggest gripes about the machine.
Another gripe about the machine is that it is easy to hurt yourself when turning the seat to the different positions. This requires pulling a knob, then placing your hands on the side of the seat to turn it. I'm bummed that there is no handle on the sides of the seat, which would have kept me from crunching my fingers a couple of times. Though not painful or damaging, it's still a hazard. I guess I'll just have to be more careful.
Overall, I would recommend the use of the Ab Coaster. It's different from any other abdominal machine I have used, and I have certainly seen improvements in the tone of my abs and my oblique area. The machine is sturdy and comfortable, and after a few attempts I have found how to use it correctly and to my advantage. There are a couple of problems, such as the inability to add too much resistance or the lack of a handle to turn the chair. However, I still think it's a worthwhile investment for people who are looking for an ab-specific workout. It certainly does do its job.
Recommended:
Yes
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