Is The Ab Roller A Good Workout Tool?

The Ab Roller is a popular, in-home, abdominal exercise device. The frame and head pad support your neck and upper back while you perform crunches. Many versions of the Ab Roller have come and gone. Some versions include an option to add weight to your crunches. Other versions offer assistance in performing a crunch. Crunches on an Ab Roller, perhaps more fun than a regular crunch, are not as effective.

Function

According to the Ab Roller official website, the purpose of the device is to prevent strain on your head, neck and upper back while working your abdominal muscles. The website claims that the Ab Roller targets your upper, middle and lower abs at the same time. You can also target your obliques, or side abs, by turning your knees to one side. The Ab Roller frame rolls with you as you crunch, helping you maintain good form.

Study

The American Council on Exercise, or ACE, a non-profit fitness watchdog group, sponsored a study testing the effectiveness of different abdominal exercises. The study was conducted at the Biomechanics Lab at San Diego State University. Subjects performed 10 to 12 repetitions of 13 different ab exercises. Electromyography equipment measured the amount of activity in the rectus abdominus and the external obliques. The Ab Roller came in 9th and 10th for each of the respective areas. The article states that the "Ab Roller was proven to be virtually no more effective than the traditional crunch."

Considerations

The ACE study was done in 2001. Since that time, the Ab Roller has changed significantly. As of December 2010, the most recent Ab Roller doubles as an upper-body workout device. Flip the device over to perform dips and push-ups. For this model, measuring the effectiveness of the device only as an abdominal machine does not take into consideration all of its uses. However, you do not need anything more than a chair to perform dips and push-ups.

Bottom Line

A good workout tool is one that motivates you to use it. The American Council on Exercise states that almost any workout tool can be valuable if it inspires the user to maintain a regular fitness routine. If you enjoy using the Ab Roller and it motivates you to work out, then the Ab Roller is a good workout tool for you.