Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Let me give you a little background. In March 2008 I was weighing about 280 lbs, damaged my lateral meniscus in my right knee from being too heavy, and had to have knee surgery at age 30. Furthermore, I had MRIs done on my back and it was determined that I had damaged/compressed lower discs, an unnatural straightened back (backs are supposed to be curved) and overstressed back muscles trying to compensate for the 54 inch waist. I was in physical therapy for months for my back. After all these health problems at a young age I decided to make a life change to get fit and lose weight and this machine helped me get to that point. My weight loss process has been slow and I started to see the commercials for these machines in the Fall of 2008. I always thought the price was too high, but at this point I was weighing about 243 lbs and still needed to strengthen my weakest part of my body, my stomach muscles which pretty much were never used for anything in my life other than for holding fat. At first I tried to get my YMCA to get the $1500 gym version of the machine, but no luck. So I took the plunge and for Christmas 2008 I decided to buy this since there was no way I could even do one sit-up or crunch because of my lower back.
Well the day I got the Abcoaster Pro was the day I took my fitness routine to the next level. The product is sturdy, durable, and well built. It was easy for an unfit guy like me to do these ab exercises compared to the ones that stress your back and neck. At first I was lucky if I could do even 5 minutes on this machine. Within weeks I noticed a substantial difference in my abdomen as my stomach started to take form. The inches started to come off, slowly mind you, but it was working. I didn't think one of these infomercial products could work, but it did work. Eventually I got stronger and thus I took the plunge and started both spinning/cycling classes and cardio-kickboxing. Then came strength training with weights to boot-camp and now running.
This machine was the starter I needed. I pretty much was just riding the stationary bike, some rowing, some swimming and watching my diet (Weight Watchers) before I bought this. Believe me, for men (and women), I think most of us are self-conscious about our middle region. No matter how much shape we're in, if we have a little belly we feel out of shape, and people do notice the belly that's the society we live in.
Today I'm down to about 183 lbs, 6% body fat,and a healthy BMI. I'm a gym rat and a workout fiend. I think this machine is a good machine if you've ever had trouble doing any type of ab exercises. While I'm doing all kinds of different ab exercises today, I still use this machine routinely twice a week on the cardio-kickboxing class days.
So why did I give it four stars and not five stars?
1. Still a little pricey, but if you really use it, it's worth it.
2. The ab rep counter is cheap and is damaged because it is located right where your sweat will drop on it.
3. The ball-bearings/wheels that the coaster rests on and moves with is starting to wear out from use and I'm not sure how much life this thing will have left and it's not even a year old.
The bottom-line is this, if you need ab help and you have weak abs, then this machine is for you. It won't stress your back or neck and can actually be fun if you set it up in front of the TV with your favorite show on.
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Ab Coaster Home Abdominal TrainerThe revolutionary Ab Coaster puts you on the fast track to great abs. This home version of the Ab Coaster--a commercial-quality unit is also available--works exactly the opposite from a traditional ab crunch machine. Rather than working your ab muscles from the top down, the Ab Coaster works from the bottom up, helping you target those hard-to-reach lower abs. Just kneel on the comfortable carriage and pull your knees up. As you lift, the knee carriage glides along the biometrically designed curved track, engaging your lower abs first, then the middle and upper region, giving you a complete abdominal workout. The device also promotes core stabilization by isolating the abdominal region and virtually eliminating any hip flexor involvement.
The Ab Coaster keeps you in perfect form and makes it easy for anyone, regardless of fitness level, to exercise their entire abdominal regions correctly and effectively every time without straining their necks or lower backs. The Ab Coaster also features a multi-angle adjustable seat to help you work your love handles and plate-loading posts to add extra weights for advanced users. The Ab Coaster measures 61 by 53 by 33 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on the frame and a 90-day warranty on the pads.
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