When it comes to building your core, you have lots of options. An ab machine, however, is the quickest and most effective way to increase the strength and stability of your core. The following list contains the best ab machines for home use and other home gym equipment available. My goal is to help you find the most beneficial option that suits your needs.
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Why you trust me?
I have been working out for more than 20 years now and have tried several gym ab machines to strengthen my abs during this time. After trying a wide variety of workout equipment for abs, I decided to stick with those that work my entire core, which includes the abs (rectus abdominis), obliques, lower back, transverse abdominis, hams, and glutes. The complete core training has helped me a lot to get better performance in boxing and calisthenics.
#1. Adjustable Ab Bench
The adjustable decline bench is one of the most common ab machines at home. There is not a gym without an abdominal bench. They are suitable both for newcomers and advanced trainers. They help to strengthen the core muscles via enhanced sit-up exercise, but several other core moves can be made, such as leg raises, crunches, etc.
The best types of sit-up benches have height adjustments, which means we can change the angle of the board. It helps to increase or decrease the resistance so we can match the intensity to our fitness level. That is why adjustable sit-up benches are suitable for any level of fitness.
#2. Ab Wheel
Ab wheels are simple but extraordinarily effective abs exercise equipment to train your midsection at home. You need to kneel and move the wheel back and forth on the floor. It seems to be easy, but believe me, it requires a strong abdomen.
The main benefit is that it works not just your abs but also your entire core. But, actually, it provides a full-body workout. This sort of movement isolates the abs, and it helps to develop the lower back.
Besides, ab wheels are easy to store and portable. And, the price is low.
We can choose from a wide variety of models, from simple ones to more advanced items with unique technology. The best is if you invest in a better one since they are not too more expensive, but you will be able to perform more sorts of abdominal exercises with it. Equipment with a wide wheel is easier to use.
#3. Roman Chair / Hyperextension bench
Exercising the lower back is crucial. Having a strong posterior chain is critical for any kind of sport and daily activities. It helps to protect your back from different sorts of injuries and to get slimmer hips.
Since I sit a lot in front of the PC, I always had backache. I started to strengthen. Since then, I have had no problems. I suggest everybody do the same if you have similar issues but always ask your doctor before.
The best workout machine to train your lower back and improve your posture is the Roman chair. It lets you do hyperextensions. It is best for strengthening lower back muscles, but it can also be used for abdominal workouts.
#4. Glute Ham Developer Machine
The glute ham developer machine (GHD) is an enhanced version of a Roman chair. The GHD has higher rounded padding, which gives a more convenient workout experience and a longer range of motion. We can do the glute-ham developer exercise which works the entire posterior such as the back, glutes, hams, etc. Also, this core equipment is useful for doing sit-ups and crunches.
#5. Power Tower
Within this list, I have to mention the power towers since they come with the leg/knee raise section. That is why it’s usually called a leg raise machine. It is a fact that abdominal exercises using the lower body are the most efficient ones. Plus, they put less stress on the lower back. The comfortable backrest and forearm pads support the activities.
The power towers are also equipped with pull-up stations, dip bars, and push-up stands. Hence, we can have a total upper body bodyweight workout at home.
A more basic version is the Captain’s chair (leg lift machine) that hasn’t additional sections just suitable for leg raises.
I love this machine for its versatility and for that I can do the most important upper body exercises. It think it’s the best ab machine for home considering its versatility.
#6. Ab Lounge
I think these types of ab cruncher machines are one of the most comfortable ways to do abdominal workouts. Because of their structure, the back is protected.
This crunch machine helps to stimulate the crunch via a folding mechanism. You need to use your abs to lift your legs when you use it. This motion stimulates the lower muscles perfectly.
Since it does not need an existing strong core, it is suitable for novices and those who have lower fitness levels.
However, I do not recommend it for those who are used to working out because it does not provide enough resistance. It’s the best choice for overweight, seniors, and people with injuries.
Unfortunately, there are some low-quality products.
#7. Ab Glider
Gliders come with a unique design to stimulate the crunch. Hence, the entire movement is controlled by the ab machine. Besides, it trains the shoulders as well as the back.
Steel-frame ab gliders are constructed to support most users comfortably since they feature ergonomic design. They feature foam-wrapped handlebars and knee supports to prevent discomfort. Additionally, an LCD screen displays time, reps, and calories burned, so that you can monitor your progress.
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#8. Ab Cruncher
Ab roller machines (ab crunch machines for home) are useful tools to develop the upper part of your abdominal muscles seriously. The advantage of this device is that it supports the neck. This way, it helps to avoid strains and to perform the movement correctly. Most people feel pain in their neck when they do crunches. By using it, you can prevent it.
I think it is useful for older adults or beginners to do abs exercises at home. However, for complete core training is not enough. The abdomen should be targeted from different angles and activities. For example, the cruncher doesn’t work obliques.
#9. Stability Ball
Well, a stability ball is not a standard thing for ab workouts, but a ball can be used in many ways to do abdominal and obliques exercises, as well as other core workouts.
The balance ball is cheap, and if we use it correctly, we can achieve excellent results with it. For some bucks, we can have Swiss balls that we can use many ways to train the entire body and make the daily workouts more enjoyable. For instance, I use an exercise ball for crunching and for stretching after I finish my routine.
The main benefit of the fitness ball is that it gives an unstable state. This way, no matter what types of exercises you do with it, the core muscles are activated to keep the balance of the body.
#10. Ab Mat
The ab mat is a sort of sit-up exercise gear. Many people feel pain in their back while doing sit-ups, but the mat eliminates this stress by supporting those areas. Besides, since the hips are elevated, the length of the motion is longer, which leads to better abdominal muscle stimulation.
It’s a simple yet powerful ab workout equipment to strengthen your abdomen at home.
#11. Medicine ball
Fighters use the medicine ball to improve their core strength a lot. The ball can be used for adding extra resistance to the typical obliques and ab exercises such as weighted Russian Twist. Also, we can do special drills such as medicine ball slams. I suggest it if you want to modify your ab workout routine to make it more exciting.
#12. Resistance Bands
The rubber band is a somewhat underestimated piece of exercise equipment for abs, but they are beneficial for strength training. As you pull the band, the resistance increases explosively, which has different effects on the muscle fibers. This leads to more varied ab training. Plus, we can choose from different levels of resistance to our strength.
#13. Core Max Ab Machine
Core Max Pro is a science-backed abs machine that helps you get a lean and toned stomach. With the help of this fitness equipment, you can strengthen your abs safely and conveniently. Pro-grade resistance bands are included taking your workout to the next level. The power-assisted rebound system maximizes results and minimizes strain. You can choose from three resistance levels depending on your core strength. The abdominal trainer comes with a nutrition guide, workout videos, and a fat loss chart. Core Max folds and is easy to store. You can easily take it out daily and keep it in small spaces.
#14. Battle Ropes
A battle rope is a useful exercise tool if you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle mass, tone your existing muscles, or improve your strength and endurance. In order to achieve optimal results in each of these areas, they should be used in conjunction with an existing program.
Battle rope exercises are popular among gym enthusiasts, as they provide an upper-body workout. They are suggested as a way to reduce belly fat by gym experts since it helps a lot with reducing body fat. Also, it is a perfect tool to improve core stability.
#15. TRX
With TRX, which stands for Total Body Resistance Exercise, you’ll be able to build strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, core stability, and flexibility using your own body weight as resistance. With the help of it, you can get a total body workout. However, the wide range of core strengthening exercises we can do makes it one of the best ab equipment for home.
#16. Core sliders
Core sliders are multipurpose discs that can be used both to burn fat and to strengthen the body. In spite of their name, they’re extremely versatile and can be used to get a full-body workout.
While sliding, your deep core muscles and glutes are especially engaged. Everyone, from an amateur to an elite athlete, can benefit from this effective workout. Just do some repetitions of mountain climbers. It is an extremely convenient way to exercise your abs. All you need is a floor to use them. They can be carried around with you or used anywhere.
FAQ
Which exercise machine for stomach is the best for losing belly fat?
If you want to have a lean stomach, workout machines for abs don’t help that much. To lose belly fat, you should lose weight. You should do a cardio workout and follow a healthy diet to get a daily calorie deficit. This way, the body starts burning the existing fat storage. The devices above target your midsection and are made for strength training, so they don’t support your calorie-burning efforts. To lose belly fat the best home ab machine is the treadmill or the rowing machine.
What fitness machines are good for abs?
The problem with most of the gym mechanisms is that they control the motion too much, and they strickly target one particular muscle group. That is not natural for the body. When you perform a move in real life, many muscles work together to fulfill the motion. The best core exercise equipment such as the leg raise machine, ab wheel, etc. don’t control the movement too much. They activate the stabilizer muscles.
Do ab stimulators give you abs?
Ab simulators and other ab machines as seen on tv won’t build you a six-pack and firm abs. Strength and size only come from hard work. If you are already lean, they may help, but gives no power. We just lie to ourselves.
To conclude
Make sure that the piece of equipment you choose meets your fitness goals. No matter your fitness level, a machine that works your entire core is necessary. This includes the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, and internal and external obliques.
It can be hard to develop strong, toned abdominals at home; it takes lots of effort. Choose your ab workout machines for home wisely to ensure you get the most out of it. This blog post details what to look for when buying an ab machine as well as a list of the best core machines for building muscular, toned abs. Since you will use these products repeatedly, choose wisely and always buy quality. It may take a while for results to appear, but they’re worth the wait. Don’t hesitate to buy one!
Sources
- Handzel, Tracy Morgan. “Core training for improved performance.” NSCA’s Performance Training Journal 2.6 (2003): 26-30.
- Oliver, Gretchen D., et al. “Muscle activation of different core exercises.” The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24.11 (2010): 3069-3074.
- Akuthota, Venu, et al. “Core stability exercise principles.” Current sports medicine reports 7.1 (2008): 39-44.