If you want to get ripped abs—and fast—you’ll need to work out your abs. Sure, you could try diet and exercise, but without some targeted, ab-specific training, you won’t get so far.
Ab machines come in all shapes and sizes, but even if you’re an expert at spotting the best ones, figuring out which one to buy can be tricky since there are so many options. Therefore, we collected 15 of the best home ab machines so you can work out without leaving your house. These products are all available at major retailers like Amazon and Target.
- Best Sit Up Bench: XMark Adjustable Decline Ab Workout Bench
- The Best Ab Roller: Lifeline Power Wheel
- Best Back Extension Bench: Marcy Roman Chair
- Best Pull Up Dip Station with VKR: Sportsroyals Power Tower
- Best Fitness Ball: Trideer Exercise Ball
- Best Balance Trainer: Nalanda Wobble Balance Board
- Best Weighted Ball: Amazon Basics Medicine Ball
- Best Gliding Discs: Elite Sportz Sliders
- Best Rubber Bands: Fit Simplify Resistance Exercise Bands
- Core Max Ab Machine
- Fitlaya Fitness Core & Abdominal Trainer
- Power Guidance Ab Exercise Mat
- Best rated ab exercise machines by type comparison
Best Sit Up Bench: XMark Adjustable Decline Ab Workout Bench
The XMark Adjustable Decline Ab Workout Bench is built with a heavy gauge steel frame to support up to 400 pounds. The adjustable decline feature allows you to target your abdominals by putting you in a more effective working position to engage your abs. This bench is built with comfort in mind. The padded seat and back pad ensure you’ll feel comfortable throughout your workout routines.
Price: $187.00 from Amazon
The benefits of doing sit-ups on a bench are the same as doing them on the floor, with a few exceptions. The most obvious benefit is that a bench allows you to do your sit-ups while keeping your back in a neutral position. This prevents you from unintentionally arching or slouching.
Also, adjustable sit-up benches let us choose from various board angles. That means we can use progressively more or less resistance to suit our fitness level.
Why get the Xmark Ab bench instead of other benches?
I would recommend this bench for its sturdy construction and ability to carry out its purpose. I had no trouble setting it up. Fortunately, the packaging and manual clearly marked all the nuts and bolts.
Read more reviews here
The Best Ab Roller: Lifeline Power Wheel
The Lifeline Power Wheel is the first wheel with an ergonomically designed handle that allows for a firm grip and maximum leverage, making it the most effective ab wheel on the market. The wheel’s unique, patented design provides resistance so that you can exercise your abs, oblique muscles, and lower back, anywhere, anytime.
Price: $59.99 from Amazon
An ab wheel is a simple tool for strengthening your core. It consists of a wheel-like device with handles on each end, which you can roll out and back for an abs workout. Some people buy an ab wheel because they don’t have a lot of room, so they can exercise in front of the TV.
Why go with Lifeline Power Wheel?
Rolling it away and towards you is a great workout for your abdominals, butt, and the back of your legs. That seems easy, right? WRONG! Just a couple of reps at a time. It’s challenging but very effective. You get a great burn in your core muscles.
Read more reviews here
Best Back Extension Bench: Marcy Roman Chair
Use the Marcy adjustable hyperextension bench to tone your lower back, glutes, and hamstrings with its uniquely curved padded seat and lumbar support for an ideal workout. The Marcy Roman Chair comes standard with a durable padded seat, backrest, and handles. A great tool to build a strong core.
Best Price: $111.79 from Amazon
The hyperextension bench is a piece of strength training equipment that can help you strengthen your lower back, gluteus maximus, upper back, and deltoid strength. It is popular with those looking to increase their performance in sports, including football, rugby, powerlifting, and bodybuilding. Additionally, it is also popular with those looking to improve their posture or achieve better overall health.
Why do we like the Marcy Roman chair?
The purchase of this product has been a pleasant experience so far. The assembly took about an hour with basic tools. It is stable, solid, and well made.
Read more reviews here
Best Pull Up Dip Station with VKR: Sportsroyals Power Tower
Sportsroyals power tower is the best solution for strength training. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can use this equipment to get a full upper body workout. It is also suitable for improving your physical strength and flexibility. It is a multipurpose machine that you can use for pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, push-ups, and leg raises. Plus, it doesn’t require much floor space.
Best price: $209.98 from Amazon
This workout equipment is a combination of a dip machine and a pull-up bar. The unit is one of the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment you will ever find, and it is an excellent addition to any home or commercial gym.
It also comes with a vertical knee raise station (VKR) which lets us do various knee and lig lifts. Leg raises are great for building both lower-body strength and core stability. Performing a leg raise with good form requires you to engage your glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, abdominals, and lower back.
It’s the best machine to do upper body exercises at home.
Why choose Sportsroyals Power Tower over others?
Exercise equipment of very high quality. It helps me become stronger and more toned. My chest muscles, abdominal muscles, and belly fat are all shaped better after using this equipment.
Read more reviews here
Best Fitness Ball: Trideer Exercise Ball
The Trideer exercise ball is a classic, high-quality blow-up exercise ball with a PVC rubber shell. Designed for high-impact exercise or for lower-impact routine workouts, this exercise ball is a versatile addition to any fitness program, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. An affordable piece of fitness equipment for home.
$20.05 from Amazon
Stability balls—also known as exercise balls, fitness balls, and Swiss balls—are large, round, inflatable balls that you can use in your daily exercise routine. They work well for ab workouts that focus on strengthening your core muscles and improving balance, flexibility, and coordination.
Balance balls will help with pilates, yoga, abs, and back exercises. We can do hundreds of low-impact exercises using them. You can also use it as an office ball chair for better posture and to avoid back pain.
Why do we recommend the Trideer Swiss ball?
Best Balance Trainer: Nalanda Wobble Balance Board
The Nalanda wobble board is a great tool for improving balance, strength, and flexibility. It is lightweight, portable, and perfect for at-home or travel workouts.
Best price: $45.99 from Amazon
The balance trainer is exercise equipment used to provide an excellent workout to your core and leg muscles. If you use this piece of equipment, you’ll find that your balance is greatly improved, you’ll feel more flexible, and you’ll be more vital to do those everyday things you do. In general, balance trainers are the best way to get more coordinated.
What makes Nalanada Wobble Board the best?
It’s awesome! Like many others at this point, I work at a desk job from home. In an effort to improve my fitness, I tried this and a standing desk. Immediately, I felt a difference in my fitness.
Read more reviews here
Best Weighted Ball: Amazon Basics Medicine Ball
This premium, multi-purpose ball is a staple of any strength training program. From weighted crunches to squats, lunges and more, this ball can help you tone and strengthen your entire body. It can also be used for cardio and other sports training activities such as basketball and volleyball. The ball’s soft vinyl material provides a comfortable grip.
Price: $44.37 from Amazon
A medicine ball is a weight that’s used in a variety of forms of exercise. We can use it to increase the intensity of a workout and be a great way to make even simple exercises like sit-ups or crunches harder.
Medicine balls are fantastic for core strength training. Core strength involves more than just abs (transverse abdominis) and back muscles. It involves the muscles of the hips, glutes, and lower back. According to studies, core strength is the best predictor of injury prevention.
Why should you choose the Amazon Basics Medicine Ball?
Related: Medicine ball exercises for boxing
Best Gliding Discs: Elite Sportz Sliders
Gliding discs are lightweight, portable, and versatile fitness equipment. Core sliders offer a lot of exercise benefits. They improve your flexibility, strength, and endurance. If you do a high-intensity ab exercise, like mountain climbers, gliders let you go harder for longer, and you’ll burn more calories. Furthermore, they create a slightly unstable surface, which challenges your core muscles.
$13.99 from Amazon
Why do Elite Sportz Sliders stand out?
Best Rubber Bands: Fit Simplify Resistance Exercise Bands
Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated—and with the Fit Simplify Resistance Exercise Bands, it won’t be. These multi-color bands give you the freedom to choose how much tension you’re looking for and can be used just about anywhere, anytime. They’re affordable, portable, and can help you build strength and tone every muscle.
No products found. from Amazon
While resistance bands were initially used by athletes seeking to increase their strength, many non-athletes now use them for flexibility and core strength. Resistance bands can be used as an alternative to traditional weight lifting equipment or in conjunction with it.
Resistance bands work by providing varying degrees of resistance based on the band’s amount of slack or tension. They are made of elastic materials, usually latex, and can be found in various sizes, usually based on the diameter of the band.
Resistance bands are especially useful for working the core muscles, including the abs, lower back, obliques, pelvis, and glutes. But it can provide additional resistance to a wide variety of exercises. Plus, it’s an inexpensive option.
Why should you get Fit Simplify Exercise Bands?
Core Max Ab Machine
Core Max Pro is a science-backed abs machine that helps you get lean and toned in just 8 minutes a day. With the help of this core machine, you can strengthen your abs safely and conveniently.
$89.98 from Amazon
I’m not a fitness freak, but having this Core Max Smart Abs has kinda changed that. Sit ups with this machine are simple and do not strain my back.
Read more reviews here
Fitlaya Fitness Core & Abdominal Trainer
This ab machine has a unique steel curve track design and therefore involves more muscles to help you reach a higher level of ab workout.
$119.99 from Amazon
The downside of this home exercise machine for abs is that it drives the movement, so the core doesn’t work as much.
I tried it out for less than five minutes on day one. I thought that this was nothing. But, the next day, my stomach growled. Sore for a few days, I couldn’t do it again. So yes, it does work.
Read more reviews here
Power Guidance Ab Exercise Mat
The abdominal mat targets the entire abdominal wall while offering a full range of motion. This helps you to train your abs, back, and obliques more effectively. Your abs will feel a nice stretch at the bottom, then a full contraction at the top when you do sit-ups, leg lifts, or bicycle crunches, and other floor exercises.
Best price: $22.99 from Amazon
This ab mat is made of high-density foam that supports your lower back and provides a convenient position. It doesn’t slip or wobble, so you can focus on the workout rather than worrying about stabilizing your body. With the help of it you can get the proper form.
This is cheap abs exercise equipment that is portable and compact.
Since laying on a flat surface kills my lower back, I’ve shied away from crunches and sit-ups for quite some time. I love it, because you can move it to support your lower back while still working out!
Read more reviews here
Best rated ab exercise machines by type comparison
Equipment | Key Benefits | Minimum fitness level required | Rating | Learn more |
Sit up benches  | We can adjust the level of resistance by altering the slant board, more effective sit ups and crunches. | Beginner | ||
Ab Rollers  | It gives a total core workout but works the whole body—compact and cheap. | Intermediate | ||
Roman chair  | Back extension exercises work the lower back, glutes, and hams, improving posture and avoiding low back pain. | Intermediate | ||
Power tower  | Do the best bodyweight exercises. The vertical knee raise station is great for abs. | Beginner | ||
Stability ball  | Fitness balls are great for core training but are also good for any exercises. They are also inexpensive and compact. | Beginner | ||
Balance Trainer  | This equipment improves core strength and balance, and it's really fun to use. | Beginner | ||
Medicine Ball  | The medicine ball is an incredibly versatile piece of home exercise equipment that can be used for all sorts of strength training exercises. | Intermediate | ||
Gliding Discs  | Exercise discs are versatile & lightweight fitness equipment. Increase your flexibility, strength, & endurance. | Beginner | ||
Resistance bands  | Use resistance bands instead of traditional weight lifting equipment. | Beginner |
How to choose the best ab workout machine for you?
What features are important for effective ab workouts?
When shopping for an exercise machine, what should you look for? It depends on your fitness level and how often you plan to use it. Most workout machines come with a set of instructions that will tell you how much weight it can handle and what height and body type is required to use them safely.
If you’re starting an exercise program, get something low-priced and easy to use. If you have a more advanced fitness level, you may want to opt for a more expensive and high-end machine with more resistance and weight capacity.
Understanding the different muscles involved
The most advanced exercise machines at your gym are designed to engage your core muscles. But what are those? And what is the best way to engage them? Targeting the core helps maintain the natural spinal curvature in your back and helps protect the back muscles and spine from injury. The core includes the abs, obliques, hams, glutes, back muscles, and pelvic floor muscles. Over time, core muscles may become weak due to lack of use. This can lead to lower back pain, bad posture, and injuries.
Abdominal muscles are part of your core muscles. The abdominal muscles are the most visible muscles of the abdomen. They are located in your midsection and help you bend forward, twist, and turn, and also help you stabilize your body when you stand or walk.
When searching for an ab machine, look for one that works your entire core, not just your abs. Such home exercise equipment is the ab wheel, VKR machine, and all the others that can be used for typical core exercises.
How versatile is the core machine?
It is clear from the list above that some machines are only designed for one or two exercises, whereas others can be used in various ways. For example, the power tower gives full upper body training.
If you don’t have home exercise equipment yet, I recommend getting a multifunctional machine so you can train more than your abs. This way, you can save money and space.
What are the best machines for abs?
I think the ab wheel is the best core exercise equipment because it works the whole trunk, and it’s easy to use. But it requires a good amount of core strength. So I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners.
The runner-up is the power tower since it includes core workout stations to do various bodyweight exercises that almost always engage the abs.
The following equipment items are the medicine ball, stability ball, and resistance bands since they make basic ab exercises more challenging. With that, they improve the strength and size of the abdominal muscles.
Lastly, I love the Roman chair because it works the whole rear of the body, which is usually neglected.
Related: Best HIIT Machines for Home
To sum up
Choosing the best ab workout equipment for home can be a difficult decision. There are many effective ab machines to choose from, both in terms of design and price. To make your decision easier, we’ve picked out the best ab machines for home right now. I hope you found the right equipment for you, but if not, feel free to ask your questions below.
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