Customer Reviews

Ab Coaster Home Abdominal Trainer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

to understand abs is to know no matter how hard you work them if fat is covering them you will never see them, never. cardio cardio cardio is the key. now if you are looking for an abs system that will strengthen your abs and support your back i recommend this product. it hits your upper, lower and side abs very well. no neck aches. the key is to change speeds and never let momentum take over. i go all the way up and half the way down forcing my abs to work. also change how many you do. i keep it between 200-500 and sets of 50 or 100 at a time with little rest. go 3-4days per 7days. feel the results and generally see the results as i have still some weight loss to go. oh, did not buy my unit here just here for info only.

This is a sturdy machine that really isolates your ab muscles. I would recommend watching some youtube videos on proper form because if you aren't doing them correctly, you are cheating yourself out of a great workout. I can't stay on this thing longer than a few minutes! A great way to get through your ab workout if you dread the crunches, planks, and ab machines at a gym.

HAVE BEEN USING IT FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND I SEE MAJOR RESULTS ON MY OBLIQUES AND ABS. LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, IF YOUR FORM AND BREATHING IS NOT CORRECT AND ACCURATE WHILE USING THIS EQUIPMENT, THEN YOU MAY NOT SEE RESULTS OR YOUR RESULTS WILL TAKE VERY LONG TO SHOW.

I OWN THE PRO SERIES MODEL WHICH IS A BIT STRONGER THEN THE HOME SERIES MODEL AND WEIGHS ABOUT 6LBS MORE. I AM AROUND 200LBS AND THIS EQUIPMENT IS USED DAILY BY MYSELF AND MY WORKOUT PARTNER AND CAN HONESTLY SAY IT IS DURABLE. AFTER MAJOR USE, IT DOES NOT SOUND AS QUIET AS WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT PERFORMS AS WELL AS WHEN I PURCHASED IT.

OVERHAUL ITS A GOOD PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND CERTAINLY WORTH THE MONEY IN MY OPINION.

I bought the Ab Coaster hoping to get my tummy back into shape after having a baby. My tailbone was injured during delivery so I can't do regular sit ups or crunches. I saw it on an infomercial and instantly wanted it because it was exactly what I needed to work out my stomach without having to sit on my tailbone to do it, my husband bought it for me for Christmas and I love it.

You put your knees on the pad and hold onto the handles with your elbows resting on a padded arm rest, and you use your stomach muscles to lift your legs. You control how fast you go and there is a little screen on the front that tells you how many reps you have done. It took me a little while to get the hang of doing them without using my arm muscles to pull me up since I have very weak stomach muscles, and I'm sure I looked hilarious doing it, but after I figured it out it was very simple to do. You can also turn the knee pad sideways in either direction so that you can work out your side muscles. After the first day using it I could definitely feel it in my sore stomach the next day. You can also add weights to bars on the bottom of the seat for more resistance but I am nowhere NEAR that point.

Mine arrived without any broken pieces (like it should) and my husband set it up easily. It's a good alternative to traditional crunches if you can't lie on your back.

I would recommend it, but you have to have a designated spot for it because it does not fold up to stow away.

I purchased the ab coaster at walmart.com since its is free shipping to our local store and they take returns without a hassle.Im a 55 year old guy that tries to stay in shape with a moderate work out every morning.My wife and I used the ab coaster for 1 week and loved the design and how it targets your abs. What i did not like is how poorly the rollers lined up with the rails and the type of material they are made of. One lower roller mounting hole was off a just bit and caused it to stop rotating and wore a bad flat spot, which caused the seat to drag real bad on the way back down. The main rollers with the bearings also where wearing with white nylon dust constantly on the rails that needed to be wiped down. I make motorcycle racing parts for a living, and I consider this a very poor choice of material for these rollers.So just beware that these are goimg to wear out very fast. Like I said we had this machine 1 week and used it about 5 mornings. You guys with 5 stars better take a close look at all the rollers top and bottom. I took it all apart and returned it back to Walmart for a full refund. We are going to try the Ab Flyer next since it has less moving, touching parts. Amozon has a great deal on that one right now at $89.00 with free shipping, and I see it from $199 to $250 on other web sites. If that ones junk we may try the Ab coaster 750 and see if its any better than the 500 model. Ive never written a review but had to warn people about this design flaw since the Coaster is not cheap. Sorry if i have a few typos, Cheers Dale

Working out itsn't easy for me, as a single mom fulltime student and a part time employee, time is a gift. I also have a bad back, it really hurts to do sit ups and what not, but this NOW THIS, is AMAZING. it puts minimal pressure on your back and the machine ounts the reps for you and the instructions are idiot proof. and just wow wow wo I love this product. it was totally worth the moeny i spent. My whole family uses it, even the younger kids. would be a great addition to anyones home gym.

The guy who said it shouldn't be used by anyone with even a mild back injury is an idiot. I am a 62 year-old retired Marine who hasn't been able to work my core muscles in years due to a back injury from a helicopter crash. I bought the Ab Coaster specifically because I have a low back injury that keeps me from doing crunches, sit-ups, scissor kicks, leg lifts or just about any other ab exercise to strengthen my core. I got tired of looking at my profile in the mirror and bought the CS1000 model Ab Coaster. With the Ab Coaster I am able to exercise my abs with absolutely no pain or discomfort to my back, however it is absolutely brutal on the abs. After 3 sets of 20 my abs hurt for two days! It is the most intense ab workout I have ever experienced, and it has only been two weeks but I am already seeing results! You can do the exercises as slowly or as quickly as you want, with no stress or strain on your back at all, so I am wondering is this yo-yo who claims it will hurt your back ever even tried working out on one. I love it! I got the CS1000 model because it is sturdier, and I intend to give it lots of use. I can't imagine why anyone would not love this machine. Do your abs a favor and buy an Ab Coaster today! Semper Fi

I bought the Ab Coaster hoping to get my tummy back into shape after having a baby. My tailbone was injured during delivery so I can't do regular sit ups or crunches. I saw it on an infomercial and instantly wanted it because it was exactly what I needed to work out my stomach without having to sit on my tailbone to do it, my husband bought it for me for Christmas and I love it.

You put your knees on the pad and hold onto the handles with your elbows resting on a padded arm rest, and you use your stomach muscles to lift your legs. You control how fast you go and there is a little screen on the front that tells you how many reps you have done. It took me a little while to get the hang of doing them without using my arm muscles to pull me up since I have very weak stomach muscles, and I'm sure I looked hilarious doing it, but after I figured it out it was very simple to do. You can also turn the knee pad sideways in either direction so that you can work out your side muscles. After the first day using it I could definitely feel it in my sore stomach the next day. You can also add weights to bars on the bottom of the seat for more resistance but I am nowhere NEAR that point.

Mine arrived without any broken pieces (like it should) and my husband set it up easily. It's a good alternative to traditional crunches if you can't lie on your back.

I would recommend it, but you have to have a designated spot for it because it does not fold up to stow away.

I did some shopping around for the best price on the Ab Coaster and found a "refurbished" model at Sears (via their reseller GetFitFast) for $120.99 w/free shipping. Well, I received it today, 5 days from ordering it and this thing looks brand new! All the parts was still in the plastic wrap and there was no scratches on the rails indicating it was a used or a refurbished product. Assembly was very easy and took about 25 minutes by myself. Included was a throw away open end wrench and an allen wrench, so no extra tools was needed for assembly. Only thing you will need is a AAA battery for the rep counter.

There is something misleading about the maximum weight. On the owners manual cover it states 350lbs, but on the inside page it states 300lbs. I'm just now at this limit (302lbs) and I tried the Ab Coaster out for about 30 reps and this device held up nicely. It does simulate the hanging leg raises! However, you have to make sure that you're seated correctly on the pad in order to get the full effect and also hold the rep at the top crunch for a split second, instead of rocking back and forth like they do in the commercials. You'll be able to tell if you're working the abs or not. Mine came with two owner manual packages and two DVD's. I know the newer Ab Coasters (like the Montel Williams brand) has two workout DVD's, but mine included two of the same workout discs.

If you want this for $120, they have it at Sears. Search for Ab Coaster Pro. You'll see 3 different types - one for $139.99 "new", one for $120.99 "refurbished" and the Tri-Star Ab Coaster for $249.97. I don't know what the difference is between the original Ab Coaster Pro, the 2009/10 P500 model (tri-star Ab Coaster) or the newly named 2011 Ab Coaster "Max". As you can see by my pics posted above, it looks the same as the new model.

My only gripe was that I received the wrong UPS tracking number when I ordered it. I was also expecting delivery next week, not today, but I'm not complaining about that. Some of the parts was dirty, not from use, but from dirt or sand. No problem as it was easy to wipe off, but still. Overall I'm very pleased with the purchase. It's very rare that a product meets my expectations lately and the price was better than if I bought it new. I almost bought it from QVC via their flex-plan for $219. I also checked on Craigslist and they were going for over $200 used as well.