Customer Reviews

Ab Lounge Ultra

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This product is well designed and constructed. I love it. The design allows one to arch his/her back (like doing a "bridge" stretch) while crunching to further isolate the muscle group and provide a more effective work out. And working the obliques is easy as turning slightly to one side, giving a surprisingly effective workout. And it folds up into a compact configuration for easy storage. The dark gray mesh looks much better than the blue fabric used on the standard model.

LOOKING TO LOSE THAT BELLY FAT?: Sorry, that's not what this machine is for. It will strengthen and tone your abdominal muscles UNDERNEATH any fat residing over the area. Walking, in my opinion, is the easiest way to lose belly fat. I've seen people lose an incredible amount of weight in one year just by walking 30-60 minutes a day and taking it easy on the food binging.

WARNING: Careful with lubricants! Two months after I got this, it started to squeak a little. I sprayed all the mechanical joints with WD40 and OOPS, the frame pivot joints use LOCKNUTS (secured internally by a polymer sleeve). Now, one of them won't stay locked any more and will work itself loose if not locked down some other way. I couldn't find a suitable replacement part at the local Home Depot so I jury-rigged it and it stays put now.

After a year of use, averaging about 400 (double-)crunches/week, it shows no signs of wear (I weigh ~175 lbs) and still functions flawlessly. Outstanding!

My husband can't stand any physical activity. He spends most of his time glued to his computer - no wonder he often complains of back pain (he is only 29). He needed at least to do some sit-ups, since the strenthened abs would take some of the burden off his back. But I could never convince him to crunch (though I didn't try very hard, since I knew how boring the sit-ups are, plus they often result in a tired neck and may even rub some skin off your back).

He was skeptical when I told him I'd ordered "a special chair for watching TV that will allow you to occasionally stretch beyond horizontal position". But as soon as he did his first stretch in this "chair", he liked it. Now he easily agrees to do several sit-ups in it a day (and sometimes even does it without a reminder). This is a lot compared to his previous level of physical activity, and I hope he will develop a habit of doing more - yesterday I talked him into doing 40!

The "chair" is virtually quiet, so it doesn't interfere with TV. My husband appreciates that the "chair" allows him to safely arch his back in the opposite direction from what he usually gets by sitting at the desk. He doesn't like though that he cannot just sit back and relax in this "lounge chair" since his weight (170 pounds) eventually pushes the back of the chair down (my weight - 107 - does let me sit back in this chair). But I'm glad "the chair" constantly "reminds" him to exercise.

There are a few things that some may find disappointing:
1) In the back of my knees Ab Lounge doesn't feel very comfortable (when I fully extend my legs), so it seems like that bar actually requires some padding;
2) I think their disks and booklets are a waste (except for assembly and folding instructions). Their exercise instructions are just common sense, no tricks, and their dietary recommendations are mostly wrong.
3) Be aware that maximum user weight is 250 lbs.

Overall this "lounge chair" is nicely designed and very inviting... to work out.

Okay, I caved and bought one of these, thinking I would be regretting my purchase in no time. Well, how wrong I was. It comes almost fully assembled and I was able to unpack everything and attach the cables, foot pedals, and hand grips in about 10 minutes. I like the mesh material of the seat, as opposed to the earlier versions that were made with a nylon type matierial. The Ab Lounge comes with a nice workout DVD and an instruction book with photos and clear step-by-step instructions for 8 various abdominal exercises depending on your fitness level. I have been using it about 3-4 times a week, about 15 minutes each time, and I actually enjoy doing my abdominal workouts now. It's also pretty comfortable to stretch my back out on this too. And the best thing of all, it folds up very compact (to about 5 inches thick) so I can store it under my bed! Overall, it's just awesome and I am very pleased with my purchase!

**Editing my review to add that the recall was referring to injuries that occurred when opening and closing the chair, not while exercising on it. I read about the recall when I was deciding whether or not to purchase the Ab Lounge. The company has since added some safety features to the new units that have been sold since late 2004 to make it easier and safer to fold up the chair and unfold it. If you have an earlier version, there is a repair kit available to make it compliant. You can read about the recall at the cpsc.gov website, by entering Ab Lounge in the search box.

The Ab Lounge is one of the best Ab Lounges that they have marketed, but there is a MAJOR concern for many people. Over 450,000 (If I am not mistaken)have been recalled due to crushing , lacerations, and AMPUTATIONS! To see for yourself go to google and type "Ab Lounge Recall" and click the first link. Fitness Quest--The maker of Ab Lounge has recieved 15 complaints of LACERATIONS, AMPUTATIONS!,AND CRUSHING. Luckily they have now resloved the problem and corrected the issue. I just bought my Ab Lounge and is very Satisfied with it. Also the website i mentioned above has ALL the serial numbers just in case you need to check and see if your model was affected.
Stay Safe!

Hi,

I had tried the AB lounge once in a store & really liked how it felt.

I received the "ultra" version from Xmas, and I still like the exercise it gives me but I found a couple of real gotchas:
- The chair gets narrower towards to top, guess that makes it sleeker looking, but it really hurts my shoulders. Now I'm not narrow but not that wide either at 6'2" with about 180 lbs. Equally so my head hits the top bar. The latter I can avoid by sliding down more, but then I dont's sit quite right.
- I opted for the "ultra" because it is more foldable, but forget about putting this big thing under a bed, unless your willing to do a lot of screwing, unscrewing & pulling etc.
- When unpacking this chair, it was hard to get it in its fully open position because the lower half has to be lifted up over its dead point. Very hard to explain, but you will see what I mean if you'd decide to buy one.
- What was, in some ways, the most disturbing: My 10 year old son decided to give it a try too. Being flexible as he is he showed how he could stretch back really far and then he also went forward real far. That brought the lower part of the chair back over (the abovementioned) dead point and my son became literally jackknifed inside the chair (between the lower & top half). Luckely I was there & remembered how to pull that lower part back & got him out. He was not hurt but very uncomfortable. So if you keep it, do not leave it around when any kids younger than 15 or so would be visiting. The manual's long warning section mentions standard language "not to have children around exercise equipment around etc..", but could have been a lot more specific about the jackknifing risk. I'm quite sure that petite flexible adults could get caught in the same position. There is no way to get out of it without help of a second person.

So, will I keep it? I'm not sure. I need the exercise. I'll contact the company and see what they say.

Thanks
Bart

I bought this because I had abdominal surgery twice (hysterectomy, too) and completely lost my tone and muscle control in my abdomen. Not only is this machine easy to use, but it is convenient. I am committed to tightening my stomach, so I leave it set up in my LR and hop on it 2-3x a day. It's the only exercise I have ever done that doesn't strain my lower back. Forget the Pilates machine if you have bad knees, which I do. I didn't even watch the DVD... just assembled, hopped on and started it. I have only been using this 2-3x a day, for a few minutes, every other day and I have lost 2 inches off my stomach in just a few weeks. Now that I have watched the DVD, I can see it will help me with side muscles too. The machine was easy to assemble but arrived missing a bolt. No problem, called the company and they shipped it out pronto. LOVE THIS MACHINE! And, this is the best price too.... trust me, I shopped around.

Just purchased this chair 3 wks ago and so far so good! I use it almost every morning for 15 minutes while I watch the news.

Needed a chair like this because I'm starting to get a gut and my pants are getting too tight. I hate exercizing and definitely don't have the will/motivation to go to the gym consistently. I bought the ultra version because I needed to be able to hide it away when it isn't being used. Once folded up (4 1/2 inches tall - 29 inches wide - 39 inches long) it fits very nicely under my couch.

It is fairly easy to fold up/unfold but it could be easier which is why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. There are 2 bungee type straps that need to be unhooked, 2 curved handle bars need to be removed (simple twist knobs), and one stabilizer bar undone (simple twist knob) to fold this unit down. Removing the parts and folding the unit takes less than 2 minutes. Not difficult just wish it was easier.

Overall, I would definitely make this purchase again knowing what I now know.

I enjoy using this ab device. As the advertisement states it gets you off the floor and my back doesn't hurt while doing the workout. After the workout you can reverse jackknife and relax which stretches the muscles.

My boyfriend & I went out and bought one of these, have absolutely loved it! From the first pull we could feel it working. Consistency is key obviously, but we definately have not regretted this purchase.

I have a slight curvature of the spine due to the uneven development of the muscles on the two sides of my back. Consequently, sit-ups have never been easy for me. In fact, they have been downright painful at times. With the Ab Lounge Ultra I am able to work my abdominal muscles without hurting my back/spine. I don't feel it working on my Abs until about the 13th repetition but I have done as many as 50 reps at a go and I have only had the thing for about three weeks.

Thank you Ab Lounge! I recommend this product to anyone who has a hard time with traditional sit-ups for any reason and who would like to work on developing their Abdominal muscles.