Ab Wheels

I'm looking into getting an ab wheel to have at home. I want the cheapest and best quality one out there. I found these 2 on amazon, but I want to know what other people have seen with other types of ab wheels and what they think are the best kind (i want to keep it under $15)

here are the two ive found most highly reviewed:

[url]http://www.amazon.com/IronMan-09-90242-Ironman-Double-Wheel/dp/B000EWKAKO/ref=sr_1_18/104-9496884-1941566?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1176229763&sr=1-18[/url]

[url]http://www.amazon.com/Valeo-VAW-Dual-Ab-Wheel/dp/B0007IS74G/ref=dp_return_1/104-9496884-1941566?ie=UTF8&n=3375251&s=sporting-goods&qid=1176229763&sr=1-1[/url]

what does everyone else think?

ALSO: are there any other reccomended home workout tools (like ab wheels) that are recommended?

I would screw the wheel and get a medicine ball.

[QUOTE=therealsixtwo;33544681]I would screw the wheel and get a medicine ball.[/QUOTE]

what do you do with those anyway? i've always wondered...

[QUOTE=fusion10;33528541](i want to keep it under $15)
[/QUOTE]

A wheel is a wheel dude, and for under $15, it wouldn't hurt to buy them both and then just stick with the one you like best.

Or buy one and use it until it breaks then toss it and buy another one. Check Walmart and/or your local sporting goods store too.

dont buy a wheel. i used to have one.

1. they are not that effective for your abs
2. they strain your back, shoulders
3. they get really boring after a week of use

weighted situps and crunches do the trick!

[QUOTE=lexmusic1;33547971]dont buy a wheel. i used to have one.

1. they are not that effective for your abs
2. they strain your back, shoulders
3. they get really boring after a week of use

weighted situps and crunches do the trick![/QUOTE]

I kind of agree. You don't really get a good contraction in your abdominal region and it works your lower back it seems more then your actual abs.

they may not make you look as good as crunches, but they are a hell of a lot more functional for pure strength. I use have two ab workouts, one doing crunches and stuff and the other using the wheel, the best of both worlds

[QUOTE=fusion10;33528541]I'm looking into getting an ab wheel to have at home. I want the cheapest and best quality one out there. I found these 2 on amazon, but I want to know what other people have seen with other types of ab wheels and what they think are the best kind (i want to keep it under $15)

here are the two ive found most highly reviewed:

[url]http://www.amazon.com/IronMan-09-90242-Ironman-Double-Wheel/dp/B000EWKAKO/ref=sr_1_18/104-9496884-1941566?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1176229763&sr=1-18[/url]

[url]http://www.amazon.com/Valeo-VAW-Dual-Ab-Wheel/dp/B0007IS74G/ref=dp_return_1/104-9496884-1941566?ie=UTF8&n=3375251&s=sporting-goods&qid=1176229763&sr=1-1[/url]

what does everyone else think?

ALSO: are there any other reccomended home workout tools (like ab wheels) that are recommended?[/QUOTE]

The first one. The wheels are closer together so it will be more unstable and require greater overall trunk stability.

The ab wheel is an excellent ab stabilization exercise. It is not a lower back exercise, as some would have you believe. The reason they feel it in the lower back is because of improper technique. Only roll out as far as your abdominals can stabilize your trunk (preventing your lower back from arching). Can the lower back in a neutral position and your abs will be working heavily as stabilizers.

[QUOTE=therealsixtwo;33544681]I would screw the wheel and get a medicine ball.[/QUOTE]

You would screw the wheel? I would make sure the wheel is well lubricated.

[QUOTE=fusion10;33545591]what do you do with those anyway? i've always wondered...[/QUOTE]

[url]http://exrx.net/Plyometrics/MBSitUp.html[/url]
[url]http://exrx.net/Plyometrics/MBSeatedSideThrow.html[/url]

Etc.

I hurt my abs to the point that I could not do pushups or chinups for 3 days by overextending on an ab wheel. I don't intend to use one again, because that was too scary.

[QUOTE=GreyGeese;33777831]I hurt my abs to the point that I could not do pushups or chinups for 3 days by overextending on an ab wheel. I don't intend to use one again, because that was too scary.[/QUOTE]

No exercise needs is mandatory. Do what works best for you.

Here is a prevention measure that you could have used, though. Do the rollouts in front of wall. That way the wall would stop you from going out beyond your strength level. As you get stronger, you could move farther away from the wall.

[QUOTE=lexmusic1;33547971]dont buy a wheel. i used to have one.

1. they are not that effective for your abs
2. they strain your back, shoulders
3. they get really boring after a week of use

weighted situps and crunches do the trick![/QUOTE]

It is not a bad investment (cheap and effective).

1. Not true. They will build great stabilizing strength in your abdominals.
2. They only strain your back when you don't know how to brace your abdominals properly or you are rolling out to far for your current strength level. Shoulders...that will vary from individual-to-individual. If a person has healthy shoulders, it shouldn't be a problem.
3. Boring? This exercise is impossible to become to strength for. Do them from your feet and you will know what I mean. [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-6T-K5esjY&mode=related&search=[/url]

Weighted situps and crunches are trunk flexion exercises. Different from an ab stabilization exercise like ab wheel rollouts.

[QUOTE=Clean;33596661]I kind of agree. You don't really get a good contraction in your abdominal region and it works your lower back it seems more then your actual abs.[/QUOTE]

Brace your abdominals when you roll out. Don't let your lower back arch. If you brace properly, it is an excellent ab stabilization exercise. Even if your form is good, sometimes you might roll out beyond your strength level. Use a wall to limit your ROM within your strength level. Move farther away from the wall as you get stronger. Do all of this and you hip flexors will stop pulling your lower back out of neutral alignment.

What about doorway situp bars? are those good or crappy?

When I use my ab wheel I use my bosu to instad of the floor. I get a better ab workout and my knees dont hurt.

[QUOTE=1972girl;33985001]When I use my ab wheel I use my bosu to instad of the floor. I get a better ab workout and my knees dont hurt.[/QUOTE]

I'm assuming a "bosu" is some type of yoga mat right? Yeah, i've heard that you should have padding for your knees.. a pillow or thick towel should do the trick.

ok, so i finally gave in and got the ab wheel (not one of the ones i showed above... i got another model which seemed sturdier than the two i posted). does anyone know the "correct" way to use it so i dont land myself in back therapy one day?

[QUOTE=fusion10;33982791]What about doorway situp bars? are those good or crappy?[/QUOTE]

Do you plan on doing weighted situps or just bodyweight situps? If you do them weighted, make sure you attach your situp bar to a sturdy door. If you do them unweighted, I would not purchase a situp bar. Doing your situps with your feet unanchored will minimize hip flexor activation and increase abdominal recruitment. JLC (bb.com member) had a nice post of this subject. Send him a PM for more information.

[QUOTE=fusion10;33995101]I'm assuming a "bosu" is some type of yoga mat right? Yeah, i've heard that you should have padding for your knees.. a pillow or thick towel should do the trick.[/QUOTE]

This is a Bosu: [url]http://www.bosu.com/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=bosu/itemdetl.html?item=10850-2Bosu[/url]

I use a mat for cushioning my knees.

[QUOTE=fusion10;33998551]ok, so i finally gave in and got the ab wheel (not one of the ones i showed above... i got another model which seemed sturdier than the two i posted). does anyone know the "correct" way to use it so i dont land myself in back therapy one day?[/QUOTE]

Brace (like someone is going to punch you in the stomach) your abdominals when you roll out. Don't let your lower back arch. Even if your form is good, sometimes you might roll out beyond your strength level. Use a wall to limit your ROM within your strength level. Move farther away from the wall as you get stronger.

What about the scooter combination?

It's where you put your knees on a little scooter and your hands grip push-up bars. Then you slide your knees backwards and bring them forward again to contract. Is this basically the same exercise? I've done those before and they were really tough

[QUOTE=_vanity_;34042661]What about the scooter combination?

It's where you put your knees on a little scooter and your hands grip push-up bars. Then you slide your knees backwards and bring them forward again to contract. Is this basically the same exercise? I've done those before and they were really tough[/QUOTE]

It's another ab stabilization exercise. I, personally, like performing bent-knee or straight leg pikes off of the Power Wheel: [url]http://www.lifelineusa.com/products.cfm?categoryid=13&productid=11[/url]

Hey guys, a decline ab bench is like..........$30 bucks at sports authority.........

shhh...I have stock in ab wheels inc.

I love the ab wheel. It comes highly recommended from the guys at musclepharm and as long as you have a decently srong core and use correct form it can transform your workout. I help train people part time and a couple guys who were really wanting the normal six pack really began to show results after 3 weeks of using it every other day. Don't get me wrong other workouts need to be thrown into your regimen but the ab wheel is a great addition to your workouts! Just make sure your core is ready for it....if not just stick to medicine ball crunches and decline weighted crunches until you can handle 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps with the wheel (kneeling). When you get really good try standing up too.

Workout to try with the ab wheel from the best of the best: Muslce Pharm Get Swole Workout and Diet. (Amazing)


Also just found ab wheel on bodybuilding.com for 7.50.

before buying one, bare in mind you can get the same effect from using a barbell or 2 db's with some light weights on loose (ofc this is assuming you have any of this at home already)

also consider that this is just for strengthening and improving your core stability. As far as getting ab's goes, despite what anyone says...this WON'T give you abs, you already have ab's they just become visible at a low enough bf% it's all about diet/nutrition