Is An Ab Roller Better Than Situps?

Abdominal machines that claim to make your ab workouts more effective than old-school situps are everywhere, but reviews and comparative studies have not backed up these claims. The Ab Roller is one of the four top selling ab machines, according to the American Council on Exercise, but it offers virtually no benefit in effectiveness over situps and crunches.

Muscle Activity

Situps or crunches on an Ab Roller recruit 5 percent more muscle activity in the rectus abdominus and only 1 percent more muscle activity in the obliques than bent-knee situps or crunches, according to a study published in a 2001 issue of "ACE FitnessMatters." The rectus abdominus is the main ab muscle that gives you a six-pack and the obliques are muscles near the area of the abdomen called love handles. The small difference in percentages make no practical difference, so in terms of how hard your abs work, the Ab Roller and situps are about the same.

Comfort

The neck support pad that may eliminate neck strain is a potential benefit of an Ab Roller. However, lying on the Ab Roller puts the neck in an uncomfortable position to begin with, according to a 1997 review in "Popular Mechanics". The machine also slides on the floor while you are trying to use it and does not fold up for easy storage. Shorter people with short arms have a hard time reaching the overhead bar, too, making it difficult to perform exercises correctly without straining to get the body in the right position. Of course, every person's body is different so the Ab Roller might feel comfortable for you, especially if you are tall.

Price

Situps are free. An Ab Roller or Ab Roller Plus machine is not. Expect to pay around $40 to $60 for a new Ab Roller, as of 2011. You may be able to find a used one for less online, but there's no guarantee that the machine will be of good quality.

Considerations

Situps do not require equipment assembly, extra space or delivery time like an Ab Roller. However, if owning this piece of equipment motivates you because you spent money on it or if it happens to fit your body well, then it is worth buying because even though using the Ab Roller might not be much more effective than situps, it is not less effective. Exercising on an Ab Roller is a lot better for your abs than not exercising at all.